Minneapolis and Seattle have received $14.8 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grants Program.
This funding builds on the $2 million each city got under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2023. The federal law aims to improve transportation systems through technology for better safety, efficiency, and innovation. The cities are working together to tackle challenges related to limited curb space in busy urban areas.
“Minneapolis is thrilled to work with Seattle on this initiative to better manage our limited curb space,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “This federal funding will allow us to implement practical solutions that improve safety, help with deliveries, and support local businesses. Thanks to the Biden Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, cities like ours are strengthening our multi-modal transportation systems.”
As more people live, shop, and dine in cities, the demand for curb space is increasing. E-commerce, micromobility, and food delivery are on the rise. Local businesses need regular deliveries and send out products, leading to competition for curb space, travel lanes, and sidewalks, which can cause blocking and safety problems. Curb space management is complex and requires quick, flexible solutions. When delivery drivers can’t find load zones, it delays deliveries and negatively affects small businesses, the urban economy, and city health.
“Curb space is a limited resource and, when effectively managed, it can promote economic activity, support multimodal transportation, facilitate access for freight and deliveries, and improve overall safety and mobility,” said Tim Sexton, Director of Minneapolis Public Works. “We’re grateful to receive the SMART Stage 2 grant that will support these outcomes and excited to have a partner in Seattle that shares our goals and innovation mindset.”
The data from both cities in Stage 1 showed significant issues with curb regulations, indicating a need to improve permit eligibility, pricing, and signage policies for better curb performance. Stage 2 will aim to find ways to enhance safety, access, and efficiency for moving people and goods in these limited spaces.
“This new funding is great news for Seattle and allows our team to continue its innovative work to make the most out of our limited curb space for goods deliveries, commercial loading, and more,” said Greg Spotts, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation. “We’re thrilled that the USDOT has selected us in partnership with the City of Minneapolis. We’ll continue to collaborate with our local partners and the freight and business communities to implement positive, data-driven solutions at the curb.”
Through Stage 2, both cities will implement strategies to improve curb access and digital management through their partnership.
They aim to enhance compliance with commercial load zones by using better policies, technology, and signage. In Stage 1, vehicle detection sensors helped freight carriers identify load zones, and Minneapolis and Seattle plan to reach out to more business districts for curb management discussions and to explore how technology can boost delivery efficiency.
Additionally, they will create internal curb data management platforms that track curb assets and usage, providing tools for better decision-making. Freight carriers also show interest in using curb data according to national standards to reduce costs and delivery delays. Finally, the cities will collaborate to develop curb data tools that benefit drivers and create advantages for business districts and logistics companies.
Despite differences in climate, demographics, and geography, the two cities applied for Stage 2 SMART grants because they found similar curb issues through the Open Mobility Foundation’s SMART Curb Collaborative. We hope that our ongoing partnership will encourage cities of all sizes and climates to use technology and data to enhance curb access.
