New York tests a revolutionary freight transport system: delivery hives

The days of the classic freight transport system could be numbered. After launching a pilot program, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to use other sustainable means, leaving trucks in the background.

Known as “microhubs”, these delivery hives will be located at key points in the city, where the merchandise will be transferred to small vehicles to expedite the delivery process. As the DOT itself has indicated, this plan stems from the need to reduce emissions, making deliveries more respectful of the environment at a key moment marked by climate change.

This pilot program will have several phases. In the first, the DOT will be in charge of supervising the operations of the delivery hives with one objective in mind: to collect data to guarantee a correct implementation in all types of companies.

In the second, which will run from the fall of 2024 to the year 2026, the number of local delivery centers and partners will be increased. Also, this phase is intended to examine new technologies and collect data to develop a permanent local delivery center in the city.

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said in a statement that “New Yorkers are receiving more deliveries than ever before and we are looking for creative ways to make these deliveries cleaner, safer and more efficient by reducing the amount of delivery trucks on our highways.”

Other large cities have launched to test this measure, as is the case of London. The British capital launched an initiative in which ships bring goods across the River Thames. The cargo is then transported on bicycles, making the Cross River Partnership initiative safer and cleaner than other forms of delivery.

Program manager Fiona Coull revealed to Zag Daily the importance of creating micro-logistics hubs when it comes to delivering goods: “Seeing how these solutions can be implemented in other major cities like New York is brilliant, and we look forward to seeing how the center plays its role in reducing congestion, eliminating emissions and creating a safer environment.”

DOT’s twenty local drop-off centers will be installed with proximity to high-density areas, truck routes, and bike lane networks in mind.