NYC Receives $5.6M Grant to Launch Nation’s First Urban Freight Lab

New York City has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE program to establish an Urban Freight Lab. This initiative aims to innovate and improve urban freight logistics, making New York City a leader in sustainable freight movement.

The Urban Freight Mobility Collaborative (UFC), led by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), will form partnerships with community, industry, and academic entities to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport. The project aims for a 40% reduction in emissions by 2032.

“New York City is prepared to transform our freight sector to meet the 21st century and our changing climate while getting back to our roots – with a working waterfront across the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “With more than 90 percent of NYC’s freight moved by truck, this Urban Freight Collaborative is critical to foster public-private partnerships that will shift our freight distribution to more sustainable methods, delivering our blue highway, cargo bike deliveries, electric trucking, and future innovation.”

Senator Chuck Schumer also praised the grant, emphasizing its role in reducing air pollution and improving public health, especially in communities affected by asthma.

The UFC will focus on developing projects in five priority areas, emphasizing environmental justice neighborhoods and Industrial Business Zones. It will explore emerging technologies such as micro-distribution centers, commercial cargo bicycles, and electric freight vehicles.

The initiative will also prioritize data collection and community engagement to ensure inclusive participation. This project builds on NYC’s efforts to create a sustainable last-mile delivery system, including the authorization of e-cargo bikes and the installation of delivery microhubs.

The RAISE grant is part of a longstanding program aimed at enhancing surface transportation infrastructure. NYC has previously secured $730 million through this program for various projects.

City Comptroller Brad Lander and other officials have praised this initiative for its potential to advance climate change efforts and improve the efficiency of supply chains. This project is expected to set a new standard for urban freight management and provide a model for other cities to follow.

“New York City is pioneering sustainable urban development and transportation solutions, and we are incredibly excited about this grant and the opportunities it brings,” added NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.