Evaluating Multimodal Last-Mile Freight Feasibility in New York City : A Spatial Routing and Neighborhood-Level Analysis
This study evaluates the feasibility of multimodal last-mile freight delivery systems in New York City through a comparative assessment of cargo bikes, e-vans, and trucks. Using GIS-based routing analysis, neighborhood-scale feasibility mapping, and spatial accessibility metrics, the research examines how dispatch location and transportation mode influence delivery efficiency, coverage, and equity outcomes. The analysis integrates travel time, operational cost, and service coverage into a normalized feasibility framework to identify spatial patterns across New York City neighborhoods. Findings suggest that dispatch center location significantly shapes freight system performance and that multimodal freight strategies can support more equitable and sustainable urban logistics planning. The study contributes a planning-oriented framework for evaluating freight accessibility and informing future microhub and urban freight policy decisions.