Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT Completes Installation of Over 500 Loading Zones in Response to Public Feedback on Double Parking and Blocked Bike and Bus Lanes
Portal Allows New Yorkers To Report Problem Areas That Could Benefit From a Designated Loading Zone
New Yorkers Urged To Provide Additional Submissions – Because Nobody Likes Double Parking and Blocked Bike and Bus Lanes
Truck loading zone pictured in Queens, New York. Credit: NYC DOT
NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that the agency has installed over 500 new loading zones that address public feedback on where they commonly see double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes due to vehicle loading and unloading. In 2023, NYC DOT launched a new web platform where New Yorkers can report problem areas. Double-parking and blocked bike and bus lanes create safety hazards and contribute to traffic congestion. These efforts complement other recent and ongoing NYC DOT initiatives to reduce the negative impacts of truck deliveries and make deliveries safer and smoother for everyone.
"Double parking is a nuisance for all users of our curb lane," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "Loading zones are flexible spaces that increase turnover and reduce double parking up to 70 percents. Combined with automated double-parking enforcement and making last-mile package deliveries more efficient, the city is tackling congestion from multiple fronts."
"Nobody likes double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes! New Yorkers pinned down areas plagued by double parking and blocked bike and bus lanes and we responded with fast action at over 500 locations," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "These new loading zones are helping to alleviate congestion and improve street safety and we encourage New Yorkers to report problem areas by visiting nyc.gov/LoadingFeedback."
Users of the platform place a pin on a map to identify problem areas related to loading and unloading, and provide written comments. NYC DOT factors in this information, along with other data and considerations, to determine the specific placement of loading zones citywide. Since December 2021, NYC DOT has installed nearly 3,000 loading zones.
The launch of NYC DOT's web platform and the installation of locations derived from public feedback is just one part of the agency's efforts to address challenges presented by the increased ordering of goods online and subsequent truck deliveries, which account for nearly 90 percent of goods moved in New York City. These efforts include:
Blue Highways: This initiative encompasses NYC DOT's efforts with New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to promote the use of NYC's waterways, instead of roadways, to transport goods in and around the city. By adding marine facilities to the freight effort, the city can reduce its overreliance on trucks, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Microhubs: NYC DOT proposed rules last month allowing for a three-year microhubs pilot program to offer safe, dedicated spaces for truck operators to transfer deliveries onto safer and more sustainable modes of transportation for the last leg of delivery, including e-cargo bikes, handcarts, and smaller electric sprinter vans. The rules allow for dedicated on-street spaces for delivery vehicles to transfer goods to safer and more sustainable delivery modes. On-street microhub zones will be about 80-100 feet in length and NYC DOT expects to launch 20 microhubs over the next year.
Off-Hour Deliveries: NYC DOT's Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) program encourages goods delivery during the off-peak hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. in efforts to decrease congestion, double parking, and truck emissions. NYC DOT recently launched its OHD incentives program, offering one-time monetary reimbursements to help businesses make the switch to off-peak deliveries. For more information visit nyc.gov/ohd.
Commercial Cargo Bikes: Another initiative to address last-mile deliveries in NYC is NYC DOT's Commercial Cargo Bicycle Program, which encourages companies to use cargo bicycles to make local deliveries by allowing participants to load and unload in commercial vehicle loading zones and at designated cargo bicycle corrals.
LockerNYC: NYC DOT launched the LockerNYC year-long pilot program this past April to give New Yorkers a safe and secure option for package deliveries and returns to cut down on package thefts and reduce the number of delivery truck trips.
Automatic Camera Enforcement: The city is also enhancing double parking enforcement through its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program. In partnership with the MTA, over 1,000 buses across dozens of routes are equipped with cameras that automatically capture double parking violations and bus lane obstructions. Once captured by the cameras, video, images, license plate, location and time stamp information are then transmitted to NYC DOT for review and processing.
NYC DOT's siting of loading zones is rooted in community feedback. Local Law 168 of 2021 requires NYC DOT to consider local input from community boards, elected officials, and the general public when locating new loading zones. The existing online platform provides a focused, user-friendly vehicle for this purpose.
Additional information about NYC DOT's loading zone expansion efforts and a map of current loading zones is available at nyc.gov/Loading.
A screenshot of the NYC DOT nyc.gov/Loading web platform.