The advantages of New York City’s Central Business Districts confirm the inextricable connection between commercial real estate and location that include accessible regional public transportation systems and a critical mass of commercial buildings that engender sufficient deliveries and pick-ups. To ensure efficient and timely goods movement, operational elements inside a mature infrastructure should be monitored. Over the past 30 years, deliveries to the city have increased by about 300 percent due to deregulation, and new information technologies and distribution practices. In contrast, no changes occurred in loading bay requirements since 1972 and none exist for freight elevators. Industry sector studies from 1996 to 2008 identified inaccessible curb space and truck zones, along with insufficient loading bays and freight elevators in “the last mile” as major obstacles to freight efficiency. Collaboration by freight and commercial real estate professionals is essential to upgrade urban goods movement and traffic flow by shrinking turnaround and delivery times. The stakes are high and include lost revenue, increased operating costs, and decreased productivity.


Anne G. Morris, Ph.D., Director, Center for Logistics and Transportation, Baruch College,
The City University of New York.

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