Eco-Friendly Downtown Delivery Study

Introduction

The Eco-Friendly Downtown Delivery Study will bring together a working group of local merchant associations, community benefit districts, delivery companies, and environmental groups to identify and prioritize low- and zero-emission delivery approaches. The Eco-Friendly Downtown Delivery Study will focus on commercial corridors in the broader downtown area of San Francisco and be informed by peer cities that have implemented or are considering similar programs. This study supports the 2021 San Francisco Climate Action Plan and San Francisco Transportation Plan 2050. 

Project Goals:

• Convene a working group to identify policy and program approaches to reduce carbon emissions associated with deliveries
• Develop a framework to support low- and zero-emissions delivery in the broader downtown area
• Reduce conflicts along the curb that may impact transit, safety, and parking management
   

The Study recommended two pilots for advancing low- and zero-emission delivery in San Francisco which include:

• Off-Hours Delivery Program - This program seeks to shift delivery to off-peak hours when traffic is less intense and there is less demand for curb space. This program has shown clear benefits in peer cities, including New York, where deliveries have a significant impact on congestion and traffic circulation.
• Logistics Microhub System - This is a location where goods are transloaded from larger freight vehicles to smaller electric or human powered vehicles (e.g., cargo cycles, hand carts, or golf carts) for final delivery. Microhubs can also incorporate charging infrastructure, dedicated travel lanes, and vehicle sharing programs to support delivery modes such as e-bikes or e-cargo bikes.

Cost and Funding

The cost of planning for the study is $150,000, with funding from the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance grant and half-cent sales tax funds.

Resources

Eco-Friendly Downtown Delivery Study Final Report (PDF)

Contact

Rachel Hiatt, Deputy Director for Planning