As we all know, the rise in e-commerce has been a complete gamechanger throughout the supply chain. With almost half of all New Yorkers receiving at least one package a week delivered to their home, NYC (as well as logistics companies) must find new and creative ways to accommodate this shifting demand. On top of that, NYC is looking to make changes to double parking regulations which would exacerbate the lack of safe, legal parking for commercial vehicles. Enter the Residential Loading Zones pilot program. Under this pilot, residential parking spaces would be converted into commercial parking spaces. Ideally providing commercial vehicles necessary curbside space and thus eliminating, or at least significantly reducing trucks need to double park.
Unfortunately, the rollout and outreach of this program left much to be desired as residents in Manhattan and Brooklyn were blindsided by the tickets and tow boots they received due to the change in parking regulations. The outrage in Fort Greene was so severe that NYC DOT had to roll back the program there and changed the City’s mindset to only partner with elected who are onboard with the pilot program moving forward. Of the original piloted areas (see below) Greene Avenue has been eliminated and there will be some slight changes to the Queens streets, but the rest should go as planned.
NYC DOT is optimistic that with better signage and political support this pilot will benefit residents as intended which is what makes this pilot so interesting. Often DOT or other government agencies try to sell a reluctant public on making changes but fail to sell citizens of the value to them. This is different though because it is the residents themselves who prompted the changes in delivery needs. Freight follows demand it doesn’t create it. If people were not ordering so many home deliveries, accommodating for commercial vehicles would not be necessary.
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