policy brief

Using Zero-Emission Vehicles and Other Strategies to Improve Last Mile Deliveries

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Evaluating the Use of Zero-Emission Vehicles in Last Mile Deliveries

Author(s)

Hanjiro Ambrose, Miguel Jaller, Leticia Pineda

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

The urban freight system (UFS) is an essential component of the greater freight system and is vital to the urban economy. While the UFS represents a small share of urban traffic, it generates a disproportionate amount of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and also has impacts on congestion, safety, and public health. The UFS is largely represented by last mile deliveries, which are characterized as trips that deliver products consumed, or used for other purposes. Last mile deliveries are part of the traditional business to business (B2B) commerce, and the rapidly increasing business to consumer (B2C) and consumer to consumer (C2C) commerce. The UFS is complex and becoming increasingly so as on-demand delivery services proliferate. Online retail sales (B2C) accounted for $394.9 billion or 8.1% of total retail sales in 2016, an increase of 15.1% from 2015i with residential deliveries serving as the main drop-off point for customersii. This trend exacerbates existing challenges for last mile deliveries (e.g., competition for parking, contending with truck size limits and truck technology requirements), and is also requiring a new configuration of the freight system as a whole, and last mile logistics in particulariii . If left unattended, the issues are expected to intensify.

Related Publications

research report

Evaluating the Use of Zero-Emission Vehicles in Last Mile Deliveries

research report

Barriers to Low-Income Electric Vehicle Adoption in California: An Assessment of Price Discrimination and Vehicle Availability

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Barriers to Low-Income Electric Vehicle Adoption in California: An Assessment of Price Discrimination and Vehicle Availability

Author(s)

David Rapson, Erich Muehlegger

Areas of Expertise

Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

Adoption of alternative fuel vehicles by African-American, Hispanic, and low-income consumers has lagged in adoption by Asian, White, and high-income consumers. Understanding the low rate of adoption for certain demographic groups is of particular interest to California. In 2015, the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act (SB 350) was signed into law and requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to study barriers to zero-emission transportation options faced by low-income consumers. This study analyzes data for over 400,000 California vehicle sales between 2011 and 2015, containing information on the price paid by the consumer, the location of the dealership, the zip code of the buyer, and buyer demographic characteristics (e.g., race, gender, income, age) for each transaction. Researchers test for the presence of two commonly asserted barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption: (1) price discrimination against low-income consumers and (2) limited selection of EVs at dealerships proximate to disadvantaged communities, by comparing the prices and distance traveled for buyers of EVs in different demographic groups. As a control, researchers compare EV sales to sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Researchers find little evidence that price discrimination amongst demographic groups or differences in EV availability explains low rates of EV adoption.

Related Publications

policy brief

Price Discrimination and Market Access are not Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption by Low-Income Households

research report

Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Benefits of an Advanced Low-NOx Compressed Natural Gas Engine in Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles in California

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Evaluation of the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Benefits of an Advanced Low‐NOx Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Engine in Medium and Heavy‐Duty Vehicles in California

Author(s)

Alejandra Cervantes, Brendan Shaffer, Michael MacKinnon, Scott Samuelsen

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

The goal of this research is to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air quality (AQ) impacts of transitions to advanced low‐NOx Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines in medium-duty vehicle (MDV) and heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) applications in California with a particular emphasis on renewable natural gas (RNG) as a fueling pathway. To evaluate regional air quality impacts in 2035, pollutant emissions from all end-use sectors are projected from current levels and spatially and temporally resolved. Scenarios are constructed beginning with both a conservative (Base Case) and more optimistic (SIP) case regarding advanced vehicle technology and fuel integration to provide a spanning of potential impacts. To capture the impact of seasonal dynamics on pollutant formation and fate, two modeling periods are conducted including a winter and summer episode. To estimate the potential GHG impacts of transitions to advanced CNG engines in HDV and MDV, scenarios are evaluated under various assumptions regarding fuel pathways to meet CNG demand from a life cycle perspective. Scenarios are compared to the baseline cases assuming (1) all CNG is provided from conventional fossil natural gas and (2) under a range of possible resource availabilities associated with renewable natural gas and renewable synthetic natural gas (RSNG) from in-state resources. Key findings include: i) expanding the deployment of advanced CNG MDV and HDV can reduce summer ground-level ozone concentrations and ground-level PM2.5 in key regions of California; ii) the largest AQ benefits are associated with reducing emissions from HDV; iii) in-state renewable natural gas pathways can meet the CNG demand estimated for both baseline cases; iv) in-state resources are unable to entirely meet CNG demand for the high total CNG demand estimated for the majority of Base alternative cases, and v) advanced CNG HDV and MDV can moderately reduce GHG emissions if fossil natural gas is used (14 to 26%).

Related Publications

policy brief

Advanced Low-NOx Compressed Natural Gas Engines in Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Are Poised to Deliver Air Quality Benefits and Advance California’s Climate Goals

research report

mAPPing Roadkill to Improve Driver and Wildlife Safety on Highways

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

mAPPing Roadkill to Improve Driver and Wildlife Safety on Highways

Author(s)

David Waetjen, Fraser Shilling

Areas of Expertise

Safety, Public Health, & Mobility Justice

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Abstract

This application framework will provide Caltrans staff and partners the ability to easily collect information on roadside features and document their findings in a web-based database that can be shared within Caltrans, as well as externally. The “one-click” application allows users to simply point at a roadside feature, and snap a photo, and this information will automatically be sent to the image server for processing. Additional annotations can be added (such as an animal species), which will provide the necessary verification steps for a complete and permanent record. These data are a critical first step to mitigating impacts to drivers and animals from collisions.

Related Publications

policy brief

Mapping Roadkill to Improve Driver and Wildlife Safety on Highways

research report

Electric Utility Rate Design and Transportation Electrification

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Electric Utility Rate Design and Transportation Electrification

Author(s)

Nicholas Bowden

Areas of Expertise

Transportation Economics, Funding, & Finance Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

This report outlines the development of an electric utility billing system model for the purpose of evaluating existing and potential electric utility rate schedules. The model was primarily developed to evaluate the cost implications of existing and proposed rate schedules on customers charging electric vehicles (EV) but can also be used to evaluate residential electric power bills across a broader context of economic and policy issues. The first issue analyzed in this report is the differential impact of residential default inclining block (tiered) and optional time-of-use rates on the average customer’s cost of electric vehicle charging. The analysis shows that the average customer’s cost of electric vehicle charging is minimized by the adoption of time-of-use rates. The second issue analyzed in this report is the impact of current demand charges on the bills of commercial customers using direct current fast charging for electric vehicles.

research report

California Feebate: Revenue Neutral Approach to Support Transition Towards More Energy Efficient Vehicles

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

California Feebate: Revenue Neutral Approach to Support Transition Towards More Energy Efficient Vehicles

Author(s)

Alan Jenn, Dan Sperling

Areas of Expertise

Transportation Economics, Funding, & Finance Zero-Emission Vehicles & Low-Carbon Fuels

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Abstract

Markets and regulations are getting out of alignment due to vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards becoming increasingly stringent. If gasoline prices stay relatively low, then consumers will have little incentive to purchase more expensive fuel-efficient vehicles. California can provide tax incentives to consumers to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, but the cost to taxpayers of doing so grows exponentially if sales of these vehicles increase. As a result, this report explores the possibility of imposing fees for less fuel-efficient vehicles and smaller rebates for more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. The goal of the proposed program is to design a revenue-neutral program that corrects market signs to consumers and provides an incentive to purchase higher fuel-efficient vehicles.

Related Publications

policy brief

A California Feebate Program Can Support Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles at No Cost to Taxpayers

research report

Transit Investment Impacts on Land Use Beyond the Half-Mile Mark

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Transit Investment Impacts on Land Use Beyond the Half-Mile Mark

Author(s)

Ashley (Wan-Tzu) Lo, Douglas Houston, Jae Hong Kim, Jaewoo Cho, Nalia Shareem

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

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Abstract

This project examines the impacts of light rail transit investments on broader vicinity areas in Los Angeles County. This project found that the land use impacts of public transit investments are not necessarily confined to the half-mile boundary around station areas, although substantial variation exists by transit line. While the areas beyond the half-mile mark were often excluded from conventional transit-oriented planning processes, these areas show a distinct pattern of land use transformation. Areas beyond the half-mile mark had a higher rate of development for several urban purposes, particularly after a few years have elapsed since the opening of nearby transit lines/stations.

Related Publications

policy brief

Transit Investments are Having an Impact on Land Use Beyond the Half-Mile Mark

research report

The Effect of Trucks Dispatch Decisions on Pavement Damage and Other Externalities

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

The Effect of Trucks Dispatch Decisions on Pavement Damage and Other Externalities

Author(s)

Kevin Roth, Linda Cohen

Areas of Expertise

Freight, Logistics, & Supply Chain Infrastructure Delivery, Operations, & Resilience

View research report

Abstract

External costs of freight trucks include air pollution, highway damage, and congestion. While diesel taxes reduce both the pollution and congestion externalities, the research paper shows that they worsen highway damage. The research team investigates the impact of fuel prices on cargo shipments using weight-in-motion data from New York and California. The paper includes sensor readings on over 1.4 billion vehicle events. These data allow us to track daily changes in the weight and number of trucks at specific locations. The researchers explain the average daily weight differential between New York and California as a function of the diesel price differential using unexpected weather as an instrument. The team finds that when fuel prices increase by 10 percent, fuel use by heavy trucks declines by 3.1 percent and average truck weight increases by 3.2 percent. While total truck traffic decreases by around 1 percent, on net there is 19.6 percent more road damage. The dispatch effect changes the welfare comparison of using fuel taxes versus efficiency standards to control carbon emissions. The researchers find that a reduction in per-mile shipping cost from the standard causes freight to be reallocated across more trucks so that schedules are enhanced—that is, the rebound occurs on both a quality and a quantity dimension. In consequence, road damage declines. While there is considerable uncertainty about the cost of external congestion and the safety of trucks, the research team finds that fuel efficiency standards dominate fuel taxes as a policy to reduce carbon emissions for a wide range of parameter estimates.

Related Publications

policy brief

A Higher Diesel Tax Increases Road Damage

research report

Policy and Literature Review on the Effect Millennials Have on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and the Built Environment

Publication Date

June 1, 2017

Associated Project(s)

Policy and Literature Review on the Effect Millennials Have on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and the Built Environment

Author(s)

Douglas Houston, Michelle E. Zuniga, Stephen Ritchie

Areas of Expertise

Travel Behavior, Land Use, & the Built Environment

View research report

Abstract

Vehicle travel has reduced substantially across all demographics in the 2000s, but millennials or young adults born between 1985-2000 stand out as the group that has reduced vehicle travel the most. This reduction of travel among millennials is known as the millennial effect. This policy and literature review discusses insights from recent policy reports and literature regarding the millennial effect and identifies the prominent themes and gaps in knowledge. The first section reviews existing research on the millennial effect on vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The second section discusses the influence of the built environment on the travel and activities of the millennial generation. The third section highlights scenarios describing the millennial effect’s potential magnitude and identifies topics for consideration in future scenario planning efforts. The final section discusses the uncertainty that exists regarding the future behavior of millennials and their influence on vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.

policy brief