‘Microhubs’ pilot will ease impact of truck delivery in Brooklyn

New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Tuesday announced that the agency has taken a key step to authorize a local delivery hub pilot. 

The three-year “microhubs” pilot program will provide safe, dedicated spaces for truck operators to transfer deliveries onto smaller, safer and more sustainable modes of transportation for the last leg of delivery. These vehicles include e-cargo bikes, handcarts, and smaller electric sprinter vans. 

The first locations to launch will be in Greenpoint; under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Clinton Hill; and on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Eventually, the pilot program will spread to 20 locations, the DOT said.

 “This promising microhub pilot is part of our comprehensive plan to reducing truck traffic on city streets,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Our focus is on fostering a safer, healthier environment for New Yorkers, while streamlining the massive surge in online deliveries with lower-impact vehicles.”

 “Microhubs will offer a more sustainable and efficient way to make deliveries and reduce the number of big delivery trucks on our streets,” said Rodriguez. “These microhubs will make our streets greener and safer for all New Yorkers and we are excited to launch the first locations in Greenpoint, Clinton Hill and the Upper West Side.”  

The proposed rules for the pilot program will include both on-street and off-street locations, creating dedicated spaces for delivery vehicles to transfer goods to safer and more sustainable delivery modes. 

A public hearing will be held on Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. After the program is implemented, NYC DOT will be responsible for installing signs at all designated zones. Only authorized vehicles using the microhub will be permitted to access the designated zone.

The program will include both on-street and…