This diagram was developed out of a stakeholder interview for the sustainable freight task force I just served on. It’s illustrative that even if you get the last mile to be very sustainable, there’s a lot of complexity in moving even a very simple commodity.
click on image for a larger view |
4 responses to “The Long Coffee Supply Chain”
Did Fed Ex Ground’s relocation to Troutdale (15 miles from downtown) from Swan Island (1 mile) come up in your discussions? This move was facilitated by the Port of Portland, and will impact operation of I-84 at Troutdale as well as put Fed Ex employees a mile from the nearest TriMet route as opposed to their front door.
Meanwhile on Swan Island, UPS doubled the capacity of their hub by building UP instead of OUT on their former employee parking lot. Parking is still free, but the 85 Swan Island stops at the front door.
Employment density is critical to successful bus service to jobs. Swan Island has it, Rivergate and Columbia Corridor do not. Troutdale doesn’t even come close.
We discussed the FedEx relocation particularly in light of the many FedEx who take transit to Swan Island today and will now be driving to Troutdale.
It underscored why we need to keep as much employment at the center of the region as possible!
It underscored why we need to keep as much employment at the center of the region as possible!
Or push for transit that’s not so center-region-specific.
Is the Port of Portland represented on this freight committee? They sold the land to Fed Ex. re transit service…you’ve got to have, housing density & job density in close proximity to make it work. Spread out industrial/employment areas with acres of free parking will not support transit.