BPS study outlines proposed actions to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector

Blog Post

This study outlines options to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector and urges Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to consider updating the zoning code to facilitate the installation of micro-delivery hubs, which support the use of smaller and electric last-mile delivery vehicles.

Buying and selling goods online, or e-commerce, is on the rise and has been since before the pandemic. It's now reached unprecedented levels. High demand for e-commerce increases the number of delivery vehicles on the road, which impacts the environment.

Transitioning to last-mile delivery vehicles that are smaller and electric is a key strategy to reduce emissions in Portland. Cleaner last-mile deliveries need storage and loading areas called micro-delivery hubs to optimize efficiency. Micro-delivery hubs support these smaller trucks and electric cargo bike deliveries by strategically positioning goods closer to their final destinations. This reduced distance makes it easier to use smaller electric delivery trucks and bikes.

This recently released study outlines options to facilitate the transition to cleaner delivery services, including updating the zoning code to facilitate locating micro-delivery hubs in more places in Portland.

City of Portland is exploring options to implement the proposed actions in this study, including how we define Micro-Delivery Hubs in the zoning code. Stay tuned to see how this study informs future City work.

The image on this page is owned by NYC DOT and is shared with their permission.