Urban Freight Case Studies - Washington, DC

Pending Actions

Off-Street Loading

Efficient loading practices are a key ingredient in reducing congestion caused by commercial vehicles. It is essential to utilize rear alleys and loading docks wherever available. Illegal parking and the lack of enforcement in alleys preclude the efficient use of the rear access.

DDOT, DPW, the Downtown DC and Golden Triangle BIDs, and affected property managers worked together to identify two pilot locations for the off-street loading project (1629 K and 1666 K Streets, NW). Two on-site inspections were conducted, and an action plan was developed for the agencies.

DDOT's Public Space Administration has provided the plats for the buildings and alleys so all parties know where the lines are between public and private space. The next step is to install more DDOT signage that discourages illegal parking. After installation, DPW will enhance enforcement in the alleys to discourage illegal parking and make way for legitimately loading and unloading vehicles.

Another component of the plan gives parking enforcement officials the authority to ticket vehicles parked without permits on private land. All of these efforts will lead to increased and efficient loading and result in fewer trucks loading at the curb.

Signage Installation

Regulatory curb-side signage is being changed as a part of the curb side management program. Inventories of curbside regulations have been collected for each of the priority corridors and all recommended changes have been made and agreed upon by the Downtown DC and Golden Triangle BIDs, DDOT, and stakeholders. The final steps of this process are the submission of the notices of intent to change the regulatory signage and then the installation of the new regulatory signage. After the signage is installed, DDOT can conduct travel-time studies to evaluate the effectiveness of changes to curbside signage.

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