By Gina Martinez
In an effort to relieve delivery traffic in Flushing, the Department of Transportation and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) teamed up for the “Smart Truck management Plan.”
Planners from the DOT Office of Freight Mobility conducted door-to-door surveys of local businesses’ truck deliveries last Friday in order improve traffic congestion in downtown Flushing. The Planners surveys were conducted and translated by DOT and Koo’s office and, according to Koo, will help in the effort to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood through safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible movement of goods.
Planners were split into three teams and spoke directly to business owners about the schedules and challenges of deliveries, parking, and loading and unloading.
Koo said coordinating truck deliveries around rush hours and other peak travel times is an important element in reducing overall congestion in Flushing.
“Hundreds of deliveries every day make truck traffic in downtown Flushing a significant contributor to traffic congestion,” Koo said. “By surveying each business in the area, we will better understand their delivery needs, and most importantly, the city of New York will be able to strategize and better manage traffic congestion throughout this important transit hub. I’d like to thank the DOT for continuing to work with my office in this effort.”
According to DOT, the “Smart Truck Management Plan” aims to improve the city’s understanding of truck route usage and compliance, movement of goods, needs of shoppers and receivers and community concerns.
There are more than 200 supermarkets and restaurants in downtown Flushing that get deliveries everyday. According to DOT, New World Mall food court, alone, receives up to 100 truck deliveries daily. The survey outreach is the second phase of the Smart Truck Management efforts in Flushing after a workshop with local businesses in May.
DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia said it is crucial to get input directly from businesses and residents in Flushing about truck movement in Queens.
“These series of surveys are key to helping shape a borough-centric plan that keeps goods and services flowing into our city and region, while addressing quality-of-life issues for New Yorkers,” she said.
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
