In September 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded PBOT a Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant for nearly $2 million. This project piloted the country’s first regulated Zero-Emission Delivery Zones that tested new digital infrastructure tools and offered preferred curb access to encourage the transition of commercial fleets to zero-emission vehicles in downtown Portland. This project explored an innovative set of incentives and regulations to better understand what technologies and strategies cities can use to enhance safety and reliability, and support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the freight sector.
PBOT would like to thank its industry, organizational, and community partners that supported the pilot project. As a result of two years of planning, engagement, operations, and analysis, Portland has seen many successes. Some of the highlights include:
- 20+ focus groups with local businesses, major delivery companies, community organizations, and environmental justice advocates.
- 65+ zero-emission vehicles were issued Zero-Emission Delivery Zones permits.
- At least five, new zero-emission vehicles were purchased to replace internal combustion vehicles making deliveries.
- Video analysis and computer vision-sensors established a common understanding of noncompliance issues occurring in Truck Loading Zones.
- Six organizations contracted with B-Line Urban Delivery to trial diverting their deliveries into downtown on e-cargo tricycles.
- In partnership with INRIX, PBOT digitized all parking and loading rules and made it available to private sector companies.
Through this pilot, the City has learned a tremendous amount and is sharing recommendations in this report about where this work could go next. Depending on funding, some possible actions include updating the City’s existing truck loading zone policies; expanding curb access for new, sustainable vehicle types; and, amongst other items, exploring new technologies or enforcement strategies to improve the efficient use of curbs across the city.