The Off Hour Delivery Pilot Program in New York City explored the impact of commercial trucks making deliveries during off-peak hours. Trucks and commercial vehicles both cause and suffer from congestion. Because of congestion, deliveries made during the business day affect us all. The receiver of the delivery passes the expense caused by wasted time, lost revenue, missed deliveries, and parking tickets on to the consumer.

Twenty participants agreed to shift their delivery window to between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Receivers found that fewer deliveries during business hours allowed them to focus more on customers and their staff was more productive because they did not have to wait as long for deliveries stuck in traffic. Carriers found that they could save time and money by making off-hour deliveries. The drivers also reported feeling safer and less stressed.

The program was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and implemented by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a group of stakeholders and research partners. It was also featured in Secretary LaHood’s “Fast Lane” Blog.

Strategies to facilitate off-peak deliveries are also included in the GO TO 2040 section Create a More Efficient Freight Network.