Trucks deliver nearly 70% of all freight transported annually in the U.S.

Goods in Motion

In the top 10 highway bottlenecks in the country (three of which are in Chicago), congestion has caused more than 18 million hours of truck delay every year.  However, trucks deliver the goods we need to fill our stores, generate revenue for local communities, and create jobs.  Finding a balance where people, bicycles, buses, trams, businesses, cars, and trucks can co-exist is challenging. In Paris, France, a new kind of delivery system is adapting to the needs of dense, multi-modal and multi-functional streets where size and scale matter.

Cargo-cycles have helped the city’s businesses benefit from an efficient, environmentally friendly service that can travel the tight corridors of Paris’ urban centers, navigate pedestrian streets, and still provide the goods businesses need.  Electrically assisted tricycles with mini-delivery trunks attached to the back.   Typical delivery vans weigh more than 2,204 lbs., and carry less than 220 lbs. of goods. Cargo-cycles are 10 times lighter and can carry nearly 400 lbs. of goods.

Le Petite Reine, which operates cargo cycles, has opened six sites throughout France.  All of its transport vehicles are clean, which advances Paris’ Climate Protection Plan goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020 and 75 percent in 2050. The use of cargo-cycles has saved more than 89 tons of fuel, reduced 203 tons of CO2 emissions, and reduced noise pollution.  Deliveries are typically 10 to 20 percent less expensive than with motorized vehicles, and cargo-cycles have access to the street, bus and bicycle lanes.

In Chicago, parking tickets, congestion, and loading zone restrictions often complicate the process that keeps stores stocked with the goods they need to operate. By utilizing cargo-cycles, Paris has freed up space for the movement of goods and people. In Paris, pedestrian-only malls, wider bicycle paths, and business-friendly environments have all benefited from having cargo-cycles in operation. They could also help Chicago achieve its goals of a cleaner, environmentally friendly city.

For Additional Information:

• La Petite Reine
• Paris Climate Protection Plan
• Chicago Climate Action Plan

Photo courtesy of Frederic Bisson

NEWS

Local News

RTA makes it official: John Gates is chairman – Crain’s “John Gates Jr., once an aide for former Illinois Gov. James Thompson, was elected Thursday as chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority.”

Bike rentals take off in city – Chicago Sun-Times “More than 1,500 bicycles were rented and 80 temporary memberships in the pilot program were sold during the first 17 days, prompting operators to lobby for a citywide expansion.”

Mayor Daley offers new plan for high-speed O'Hare-Loop rail – Chicago Sun-Times “Air travelers might someday be able to pay a premium fare for privately financed and operated high-speed trains to whisk them from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago.”

Tollway chief gives new team an incomplete, as hardest job still ahead – Daily Herald “The tollway is trying to decide what next mega project it will undertake. Desirable projects will be mindful of the environmental impact of any road construction and not contribute to sprawl, accommodate transit, relieve congestion, spur economic development and benefit the region as a whole”

New Metra commuter cars on way – Chicago Tribune “Metra's board on Friday authorized the $560 million purchase of 160 new commuter cars, half of which will have restrooms — good news for riders who have complained for decades about the lack of onboard facilities.”

Illinois, Iowa seek rail funds for Q-C route – Quad-City Times “Prospective customers of a new passenger rail link between the Quad-Cities and Chicago have a lot riding on a new application for $248 million in federal funds.”

Agency seeks to set transportation priorities for next 30 years – Chicago Tribune “The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, or CMAP, has unveiled a transportation wish list that has the Illinois 53 extension and its companion project, the Illinois 120 corridor, at the top.”

Normal breaks ground on transportation hub – Quad-City Times “Federal and state officials have broken ground on a central Illinois transportation center that will serve Amtrak trains, buses and taxis.”

World News

 

 

 

RIPTA considers additional charge for ‘premium’ service – Providence Journal “The state transit system is looking into improving its balance sheet by charging more for ‘premium’ service, for riding longer distances faster.”

Fight brewing over transportation sales tax – Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Fulton County mayors have united to fight a new penny sales tax for regional transportation plans, unless neighboring counties kick in extra money for a regional transit system.”

Seattle may create transportation taxing district – Seattle Times “Facing a long list of pricey transportation projects, the Seattle City Council may create a new citywide transportation taxing district that could lead to higher property and sales taxes, higher car-tab fees and someday maybe even local toll roads.”

Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit – Detroit Free Press “If approved, the Woodward Light Rail would be the first new rail-based, public transit project in Michigan since the 1987 opening of the Detroit People Mover.”

Housing plan sets off S.F. parking debate – San Francisco Chronicle “Planners and environmental activists argue that limits on parking are the only way to keep congestion from strangling city streets, while developers and many residents complain that the tough new rules reflect a hazy vision of some car-free urban utopia and not the reality of life in a major American city.”

Resources

• Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits – APTA
• Restoring Trust in the Highway Trust Fund – Reason Foundation
• A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services – Transportation Research Board

Enjoy Talking Transit?  The content is a result of the research, outreach and advocacy efforts of MPC’s dedicated Transportation team.  You can make a difference on the issues you read about here by making a donation to MPC today, http://www.metroplanning.org/donation.asp.

Contact Information
For comments, suggestions or submissions, please contact Emily Tapia Lopez, Manager, at etapia@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6047.

Goods in Motion

In the top 10 highway bottlenecks in the country (three of which are in Chicago), congestion has caused more than 18 million hours of truck delay every year.  However, trucks deliver the goods we need to fill our stores, generate revenue for local communities, and create jobs.  Finding a balance where people, bicycles, buses, trams, businesses, cars, and trucks can co-exist is challenging. In Paris, France, a new kind of delivery system is adapting to the needs of dense, multi-modal and multi-functional streets where size and scale matter.

Cargo-cycles have helped the city’s businesses benefit from an efficient, environmentally friendly service that can travel the tight corridors of Paris’ urban centers, navigate pedestrian streets, and still provide the goods businesses need.  Electrically assisted tricycles with mini-delivery trunks attached to the back.   Typical delivery vans weigh more than 2,204 lbs., and carry less than 220 lbs. of goods. Cargo-cycles are 10 times lighter and can carry nearly 400 lbs. of goods.

Le Petite Reine, which operates cargo cycles, has opened six sites throughout France.  All of its transport vehicles are clean, which advances Paris’ Climate Protection Plan goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020 and 75 percent in 2050. The use of cargo-cycles has saved more than 89 tons of fuel, reduced 203 tons of CO2 emissions, and reduced noise pollution.  Deliveries are typically 10 to 20 percent less expensive than with motorized vehicles, and cargo-cycles have access to the street, bus and bicycle lanes.

In Chicago, parking tickets, congestion, and loading zone restrictions often complicate the process that keeps stores stocked with the goods they need to operate. By utilizing cargo-cycles, Paris has freed up space for the movement of goods and people. In Paris, pedestrian-only malls, wider bicycle paths, and business-friendly environments have all benefited from having cargo-cycles in operation. They could also help Chicago achieve its goals of a cleaner, environmentally friendly city.

For Additional Information:

• La Petite Reine
• Paris Climate Protection Plan
• Chicago Climate Action Plan

Photo courtesy of Frederic Bisson

NEWS

Local News

RTA makes it official: John Gates is chairman – Crain’s “John Gates Jr., once an aide for former Illinois Gov. James Thompson, was elected Thursday as chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority.”

Bike rentals take off in city – Chicago Sun-Times “More than 1,500 bicycles were rented and 80 temporary memberships in the pilot program were sold during the first 17 days, prompting operators to lobby for a citywide expansion.”

Mayor Daley offers new plan for high-speed O'Hare-Loop rail – Chicago Sun-Times “Air travelers might someday be able to pay a premium fare for privately financed and operated high-speed trains to whisk them from O’Hare Airport to downtown Chicago.”

Tollway chief gives new team an incomplete, as hardest job still ahead – Daily Herald “The tollway is trying to decide what next mega project it will undertake. Desirable projects will be mindful of the environmental impact of any road construction and not contribute to sprawl, accommodate transit, relieve congestion, spur economic development and benefit the region as a whole”

New Metra commuter cars on way – Chicago Tribune “Metra's board on Friday authorized the $560 million purchase of 160 new commuter cars, half of which will have restrooms — good news for riders who have complained for decades about the lack of onboard facilities.”

Illinois, Iowa seek rail funds for Q-C route – Quad-City Times “Prospective customers of a new passenger rail link between the Quad-Cities and Chicago have a lot riding on a new application for $248 million in federal funds.”

Agency seeks to set transportation priorities for next 30 years – Chicago Tribune “The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, or CMAP, has unveiled a transportation wish list that has the Illinois 53 extension and its companion project, the Illinois 120 corridor, at the top.”

Normal breaks ground on transportation hub – Quad-City Times “Federal and state officials have broken ground on a central Illinois transportation center that will serve Amtrak trains, buses and taxis.”

World News

 

 

 

RIPTA considers additional charge for ‘premium’ service – Providence Journal “The state transit system is looking into improving its balance sheet by charging more for ‘premium’ service, for riding longer distances faster.”

Fight brewing over transportation sales tax – Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Fulton County mayors have united to fight a new penny sales tax for regional transportation plans, unless neighboring counties kick in extra money for a regional transit system.”

Seattle may create transportation taxing district – Seattle Times “Facing a long list of pricey transportation projects, the Seattle City Council may create a new citywide transportation taxing district that could lead to higher property and sales taxes, higher car-tab fees and someday maybe even local toll roads.”

Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit – Detroit Free Press “If approved, the Woodward Light Rail would be the first new rail-based, public transit project in Michigan since the 1987 opening of the Detroit People Mover.”

Housing plan sets off S.F. parking debate – San Francisco Chronicle “Planners and environmental activists argue that limits on parking are the only way to keep congestion from strangling city streets, while developers and many residents complain that the tough new rules reflect a hazy vision of some car-free urban utopia and not the reality of life in a major American city.”

Resources

• Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits – APTA
• Restoring Trust in the Highway Trust Fund – Reason Foundation
• A Guide for Planning and Operating Flexible Public Transportation Services – Transportation Research Board

Enjoy Talking Transit?  The content is a result of the research, outreach and advocacy efforts of MPC’s dedicated Transportation team.  You can make a difference on the issues you read about here by making a donation to MPC today, http://www.metroplanning.org/donation.asp.

Contact Information
For comments, suggestions or submissions, please contact Emily Tapia Lopez, Manager, at etapia@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6047.