ECO-DISTRIBUTE CINCINNATI

Pioneering Sustainable Delivery Solutions for a Smarter Cincinnati

Stefano Vicino

April 9, 2024

Vision Statement

"Transforming Cincinnati's delivery landscape with innovative technology and sustainable practices. Focusing on reducing environmental impact and congestion, by utilizing underutilized spaces as distribution centers for streamlined, eco-friendly last-mile delivery. Through collaboration with local stakeholders, the goal is to revolutionize logistics, enhance the urban experience, and make Cincinnati a global model for efficient, sustainable product delivery."

Project Justification

The surge in e-commerce and the subsequent rise in product deliveries have transformed the urban landscape, particularly affecting the daily experience within our cities. The expansion of delivery vehicles crowding curbsides has increased congestion, creating challenges for both transportation and the overall flow of urban life. This influx of vehicles has also contributed to environmental issues, adding to pollution, and intensifying climate concerns. As the demand for online shopping continues to grow, finding effective solutions to mitigate these negative impacts becomes imperative for the sustainability and livability of our urban environments.

Emerging transportation technologies and innovative urban planning can help to address the challenges posed by the surge in e-commerce. By incorporating efficient and sustainable distribution methods, cities can alleviate congestion and reduce their carbon footprint. The key focus of this solution is leveraging underutilized spaces and implementing eco-friendly modes of delivery, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, drones, and other alternative transportation solutions. These strategies not only enhance the efficiency of product distribution but also contribute to creating a more environmentally conscious and resilient urban infrastructure, fostering a balance between the convenience of e-commerce and the sustainable well-being of our cities.

Trends in Planning

As guidance to address this problem and determine the effect on planning, I used various sections from the 2022 – 2024 APA Trend Reports for Planners. In the 2022 APA Trend Report for Planners, under the “Decarbonization and Diversification of Transportation” trend there are mentions of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Micromobility, Rethinking the Public Right-of-Way, and Curb Management Technologies. These items along with the insights given from the report can serve as inspiration and guidance to innovate and enhance Urban Logistics.

In the 2022 report, there is also a section on the “Automation of Transportation” that focuses specifically on autonomous vehicles and autonomous deliveries, which are a key aspect of the solution for the stated problem. (2022 Trend Report for Planners)

The 2023 APA Trends Report includes a section on “Equitable, Environmentally Responsible Transportation” which mentions the importance and impact of Electric Vehicles, E-Bikes, and Cargo Bikes, often used for deliveries within dense and urban settings across the world. (2023 Trend Report for Planners)

The 2024 APA Trends Report highlights the importance of emerging technologies in today’s cities and transportation network under the “Emerging Forms of Transportation” section. The section mentions Urban Air Mobility, Autonomous Vehicles, and Truck Electrification which are all key resources and aspects of the proposed solution. However, I think the most important part is the “Preparing for robots” subsection that describes the phenomenon of robots of all shapes and sizes entering our city and contributing to our society. It seems like a futuristic idea; however, it is not very far-fetched. Robots providing services like product delivery, public safety, and street cleaning are starting to emerge in cities across the world. (2024 Trend Report for Planners)

How are cities around the world responding to this problem?

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam’s Green City Logistics: Amsterdam has been at the forefront of green city logistics, implementing measures to reduce congestion and pollution from delivery vehicles. The city has introduced electric and cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries and created micro-distribution centers strategically located in underutilized spaces. Through collaborative efforts with local businesses and stakeholders, Amsterdam has successfully transformed its delivery landscape, providing a blueprint for other cities looking to enhance their urban experience while minimizing the environmental impact of product distribution. (Quak, Hans J, 2012)

ROME, ITALY

Rome Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan: In 2019, the Municipality of Rome adopted the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), which includes the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP). Currently, the City Administration is addressing specific issues concerning urban logistics, to follow up on the SUMP, through the so-called ‘Living Lab’ approach. These include experimentation of mini hubs for loading/unloading goods, deployment of parcel lockers at the main interchange car parks and metro stops, cargo-bikes diffusion, and technological parking spaces for freight vehicles. (Comi, Antonio and Agostino Nuzzolo, 2012)

Proposed Solutions

Delivery Vehicles

Cargo Bikes
Robots
Drones
Electric Trucks

Alternate Distribution

Distribution Centers
Parcel Lockers

Infrastructure Planning and Management

Road, Curbside & Sidewalk redesign and management

These solutions will vary based on the site typology and existing infrastructure

The Network

Site Selection

Three different typologies in Cincinnati

High Density Model

Medium Density Model

Low Density Model

SITE 1: DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI

Site Selection & Analysis

Downtown Cincinnati

Parking in Downtown Cincinnati

The Potential Sites

The identified sites are severely underutilized.

The areas are surface parking lots located at the edges of the neighborhood

These lots are generally empty on a daily basis, for the exception of big events in the neighborhood

The location of the surface lots is optimal for the development of Urban Distribution Centers, being located at the edges of the neighborhoods the centers can serve all areas of Downtown efficiently

Paycor Stadium - LOT E

Park Place Lot #31

Site Plan

Paycor Stadium - LOT E

The primary purpose of this site is to serve as a parking lot during football games or other events at Paycor Stadium

During regular days, individuals that work downtown utilize it for parking

The parking lot is very underutilized, and utilizing a small portion of it for an urban distribution center could provide a better use and a greater impact on the city

The ideal location for an Urban Distribution Center is towards the east end of the site.

The site currently has a curb cut that is blocked off and it's adjacent to an existing bike and pedestrian trail

The eastern end is also in close proximity of a 4 way intersection, making it ideal for delivery vehicles and robots to easily reach locations at the north of the site

This highly conceptual site plan accommodates for the placement of a distribution center with EV Truck Docks and Parking/Drop-off Areas

The site would create a connection to the existing bike trail, to be used by cargo bikes and robots delivering packages

Site 2 & 3: Oakley Station

Site Selection & Analysis

Oakley

Oakley Station

Potential Sites

Oakley Station was identified as being the main delivery hub for the neighborhood

With the recent commercial and residential developments at Oakley Station a lot of space is being dedicated to surface parking lots, and majority of them mostly sits empty

Drone footage of Oakley Station on a Thursday morning

Site Plan

Oakley Station

Oakley Station's location makes this a very great site to serve as a distribution center in Oakley

The site is located right off of I-71 which would give easy access for larger trucks to deliver their packages

This specific area of the parking lot north of Meijer and Target currently serves as an overflow lot for the surrounding businesses

The lot is very underutilized as shown in the drone image

This highly conceptual site plan accommodates for the placement of a distribution center with EV Truck Docks and Parking/Drop-off Areas

The sites allows for a larger building to serve as a hub for smaller distribution sites and location throughout the neighborhood

A Connected Neighborhood Network

01 / 05

The goal of Eco-Distribute Cincinnati is to create neighborhood delivery networks to provide sustainable last mile delivery.

Each neighborhood in the city will have its connected network of Urban Distribution Centers, Parcel Lockers, and Mobile/Temporary centers.

These centers will be located in strategic areas, while also taking advantage of underutilized spaces throughout the neighborhood.

A. URBAN DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

Urban Distribution Centers will serve as neighborhood hubs to receive most of the incoming packages and products. These packages will then be delivered to their destination through sustainable delivery methods. These hubs will be placed in larger underutilized parcels.

B. MOBILE & TEMPORARY DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

Mobile & Temporary Distribution Centers will be placed in locations that are limited in space. These centers will be distributed through the neighborhood from the main hub location.

C. PARCEL LOCKERS

Parcel Locker will be located at major nodes throughout the neighborhood. Users will have the option to pick up their packages from parcel lockers at their best convenience.

The connection between these distribution centers within the neighborhood will be crucial in making deliveries and distributions efficient and sustainable.

DAAPworks Exhibit Video

Eco-Distribute Cincinnati - DAAP Works 2024

REFERENCES

Comi, A., & Nuzzolo, A. (2012). Urban Freight Transport Policies in Rome: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead. ResearchGate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248707389_Urban_Freight_Transport_Policies_in_Rome_Lessons_Learned_and_the_Road_Ahead

How Can We Deliver Sustainable City Logistics. (2024, February 27). Retrieved from https://www.tomorrow.city/how-can-we-deliver-sustainable-city-logistics

Quak, H. J. (2012). Improving Urban Freight Transport Sustainability by Carriers – Best Practices from The Netherlands and the EU Project CityLog. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 39(3), 158–171. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.03.098

Rome - ULaaDS - Urban Logistics as an on-Demand Service. (2022, March 01). Retrieved from https://ulaads.eu/cities/rome

vicinoso. (2024). PLAN 5099. Padlet. Retrieved from https://padlet.com/vicinoso/plan-5099-48al60t3fiarrl1

2022 Trend Report for Planners. (2022, January 18). Retrieved from https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9228382

2023 Trend Report for Planners. American Planning Association. Retrieved from https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9263250

2024 Trend Report for Planners. (2024, February 26). Retrieved from https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9284143