Freight pickups and deliveries are both contributors to and victims of growing congestion in small- and medium-sized urban areas (SMUAs). Although ease of access and parking are important to revitalizing the downtown areas of SMUAs, efficient pickup and delivery of goods are equally important but often overlooked. This paper considers issues concerning pickup and delivery of freight by trucks in the downtown areas of two SMUAs: Greensboro, North Carolina and Fargo, North Dakota. Both cities have tried to revitalize their downtown areas, including traffic engineering strategies. Greensboro has successfully involved freight delivery drivers and companies in revitalization plans, while curb space use priorities have been primarily dictated by the perceived needs of retailers in Fargo. The cities show sharply contrasting approaches to accommodating curbside loading of trucks. Greensboro is increasing the number of curbside loading zones, while Fargo eliminated all curbside loading zones a few years ago. Fargo does allow delivery vehicles to double-park on roads where there is more than one lane in one direction and has requirements in its zoning ordinance for buildings to provide off-street loading spaces. Greensboro does not have a similar requirement for off-street loading space and currently allows all vehicles with a commercial license tag to park in loading zones, even though these vehicles might not carry freight. The findings from these case studies can help city traffic engineers and planners in developing plans to best accommodate freight delivery and pickup in their downtown areas. Enhancing freight mobility can contribute to the revitalization of the downtown areas of SMUAs.
Abstract