2013 Theses Master's

"Last-Mile" Deliveries in High-Density Urban Residential Areas of Manhattan

Woodard, John Benjamin

The goal of this research project is to identify if “last-­‐mile” deliveries to high-­‐density residential buildings in Manhattan have an observable effect upon the streetscape as well as the buildings themselves. This paper focuses on two important components of “last-­‐mile” deliveries – the occurrence of double-­‐parking on the street and storage room capacity for delivery packages in residential buildings. General observations concerning “quality-­‐of-­‐life” are also explored based on the presence of observable safety issues associated with delivery vehicles. Although by no means comprehensive, this is an exploratory research project meant to begin the conversation concerning the larger issue of “last-­‐mile” deliveries in high-­‐density residential areas and examine whether or not the negative externalities associated with goods movement (pollution, excess
VMT, noise, safety, congestion) will become more noticeable in these locations.