Partner agencies of the Applied Freight Research Initiative (AFRI) are working with MORR Transportation Consulting on an information-gathering exercise to advance the current understanding of the Lower Mainland’s freight transportation ecosystem. AFRI is a partnership between Transport Canada (TC), the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), TransLink, and the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Transit (BC MOTT).

To support this information-gathering exercise, MORR will be conducting three focus group sessions in mid-April with interested trucking firms that operate in the Lower Mainland. While these sessions are only for information-gathering purposes, everyone is encouraged to attend and share insight regarding current challenges and opportunities to improve freight operations and address the evolving needs of the freight transportation industry as it interacts with highway infrastructure in the region. Some of the topics that MORR plans to explore during the focus group sessions include:

• Infrastructure Challenges: Explore issues regarding infrastructure limitations, such as congestion, parking facilities, road and bridge infrastructure issues, and others. There will be an opportunity to discuss improvements to support more efficient and reliable freight movement.
• Last-Mile Delivery: Explore challenges and opportunities related to last-mile delivery, including urban congestion, access restrictions, and the adoption of innovative delivery methods such as drones, autonomous vehicles, micro-fulfillment centers, and others.
• Land Use Issues: Explore issues and opportunities pertaining to the movement of freight and its interaction with industrial and commercial zoning activities. Discuss current issues regarding access to logistics facilities and terminals, highways, rail lines, and marine and air ports from industrial lands.
• Efficiency and Productivity: Identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce empty miles, optimize truck utilization, and improve overall operational practices.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Explore opportunities for reducing environmental impact, such as adopting alternative fuels, implementing fuel-efficient or zero-emission technologies, and optimizing routes to minimize emissions and fuel consumption.
• Interprovincial Trade: Understand current barriers to interprovincial trade, challenges and opportunities for improved transportation to and from neighbouring provinces and territories.

The focus group sessions will be 1.5 hrs in duration and will take place on the dates below. Space is limited to 12 participants per session. A Zoom link will be distributed to those who confirm their attendance.

1. April 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2. April 15 from 09:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
3. April 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information about AFRI and to confirm participation in one of the focus group sessions, contact Greg Kolesniak at greg.kolesniak@translink.ca or Jessica Mclennan at jessica.mclennan@translink.ca.

For more information about the focus group sessions contact Maryam Moshiri at Maryam.moshiri@morrconsulting.com