TransLink and Metro Vancouver municipalities are interested in identifying efficiency improvements to the movement of goods within and through the region. The movement of goods by truck is influenced by general road conditions and traffic, but the influence of regulatory, permitting and enforcement is less well understood. Opportunities to improve the efficiency of the regional transportation system, specifically to support urban goods movement and the Vancouver region trucking industry, can include consistency and continuity of bylaws, permitting and enforcement. The regulation and enforcement of goods movement in the Vancouver region is particularly complicated from the perspective of the trucking industry because there are 21 municipalities, TransLink, the Province, Transport Canada, Port Metro Vancouver, rail companies, and logistics providers (among others) all influencing the movement of goods, but often without coordination. There are a variety of bylaws, regulations, permit requirements, and time-of-day restrictions across the region that the trucking industry must comply with. This paper presents the findings of research and consultation conducted to identify streamlining opportunities for the various governmental and institutional regulatory, permitting and enforcement processes in Metro Vancouver. Work is currently underway to recommend changes that would be acceptable and beneficial to the trucking industry, the relevant government agencies, and goods movement stakeholders. This TransLink initiative responds to industry issues as well as municipal concerns about transportation safety, efficiency, and community impact. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E220308.
Abstract