From Curb Space to Flex Zone
NACTO 2017: Curb Appeal
Tracy Krawczyk, Policy & Planning Director
October 30, 2017
Our mission, vision, and core values
Committed to 5 core values to create a city that is:
• Safe
• Interconnected
• Affordable
• Vibrant
• Innovative
For all
Mission: deliver a high-quality
transportation system for Seattle
Vision: connected people,
places, and products
2
• 2016 Comprehensive
Plan established a new
framework for ROW
allocation decisions
• Defined
– 3 zones
– 6 essential functions
Right-of-way (ROW) allocation
4
6 essential ROW functions
3 ROW zones
5
ROW functions by zone
Outcome: multi-functional streets
Projected CBD flex lane changes
8
Existing Uses
E-commerce is changing access needs
88%
90%
92%
94%
96%
98%
100%
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Total U.S. Retail Sales
Traditional Retail E-Commerce
Source: https://www.census.gov/retail/index.html
Urban Freight Lab• Systems engineering
approach to solve
delivery problems that
overlap cities’ and
businesses’ spheres of
control
• Living laboratory
• Unique partnership
– University of Washington
– Seattle DOT
– Costco Wholesale
– Nordstrom
– Charlie’s Produce
– UPS
– USPS
Final 50 Feet Program
• Analyze both the street network and vertical buildings as one unified urban goods delivery system
– Use of scarce curb, freight bay, loading dock, and alley space
– How delivery people move with handcarts through city streets
– Delivery process within urban towers
Goal 1
Reduce truck dwell time
Benefits:
• Lower delivery firm costs (and
for customers)
• Creates loading capacity
without building new spaces
• Frees alley space for others
Goal 2
Reduce failed first deliveries
Benefits
• Lower congestion
• Improve shopper experience
• Protect retailers’ brand
• Cut costs
• Reduce crime
• Neighborhood equity
Photo: UW Urban Freight Lab
Analyzing the final 50 feet
Enter
Deliver
Exit
Graphic: UW Urban Freight Lab
33%
26%
Enter
Deliver
Exit
41%
1. Park in freight bay
2. Get clearance from security guard
3. Unload goods on to cart
4. Wait for freight elevator
Perc
ent
of
Tota
l Tim
e
5. Take elevator to receivers’ floor
6. Deliver/pick up goods on receivers’ floor
7. Repeat process steps 5-6 for multiple deliveries
8. Wait for elevator to return to truck
9. Take elevator back to freight bay
10. Return security device to guard
11. Load hand cart onto truck
12. Maneuver truck out of freight bay
61
%
7%
5%
Seattle Municipal Tower example
Graphic: UW Urban Freight Lab
12
4
3
Initial findings
• 85% of all CBD buildings rely on curb space and/or alleys for deliveries
• More on-street enforcement is not the answer
• Most system capacity gains are within buildings, rather than curb space
Graphic: UW Urban Freight Lab
Next steps
• Develop potential
solutions for all building
types
• SMT Pilots
– Pre-screening of regular
delivery companies and
new freight elevator security
access
– Install common carrier
locker system
Seattle freight access
19
Seattle other curb uses
20
TNC geo-
fencing
pilot
Seattle flex zone priorities
21
Seattle transit treatments
22
Performance Paid Parking Program
• 70% and 85% occupancy goal, per Seattle Municipal
• Parking occupancy studies used to set and adjust rates
• 30 paid parking areas with 90 rates varied by time of day