Lifting time-of-day restrictions on deliveries could ease congestion

Road restrictions for delivery trucks are contributing to congestion, slowing the flow of goods and services, and creating avoidable air pollution, according to early data from a Peel Region pilot project.

“Ten to 15 per cent of regional roadway congestion is trucks. It reduced congestion, it’s efficient for business and saves us fuel, and also has great environmental impact as well.”
– Sebastian Prins

The region partnered with the University of Toronto, York University, and McMaster University to assess the efficiencies that could be realized by lifting municipal restrictions on delivery times. Many roads throughout the GTA prohibit deliveries in off-peak hours –often before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.—In the name of noise reduction.

Peel Region lifted the restrictions for 13 participating retailers, including Walmart, and 23 per cent of deliveries moved to off-peak hours. The preliminary numbers suggest that the average trip time decreased by 17 per cent as a result.

View full article at CTV News