Goods Movement on Urban Transit Systems

Recent technological innovations in goods transport, including containerization, improved materials handling, and computer assisted systems of storage, sortation, shipment routing and documentation, offer prospects that significant segments of center city goods movement could be incorporated into existing and proposed transit systems. Dual passenger and freight mode transit would be beneficial to the environment and improve the potential for important changes in urban structure. In initial stages the dual system would carry goods under governmental control, such as mail and refuse. System use would be further enhanced by locating large freight generators adjacent to transit stations. In its final stages, a comprehensive CBD pickup and distribution network would be required, supplemented by municipal franchise regulations to control and optimize all center city goods trips.