Staff outlines curbside management plans, flexible loading zones and geofencing pilots for TNCs
Summary
Staff described plans to identify flexible loading zones downtown and to use geofencing to manage Uber and Lyft drop-offs; commissioners were invited to serve as liaisons to the curbside project.
Commission staff told commissioners that the curbside management project will propose flexible loading zones across downtown and that the project team is exploring geofencing tools to reduce unsafe or obstructive stop-and-go behavior by Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft.
Staff said the curbside team will recommend specific locations for flexible loading and will present those proposals to community members and commission liaisons before finalizing recommendations. The commission was asked to appoint one or two members to serve as liaisons for the curbside work; staff said project outreach to commissioners is forthcoming and likely to occur before the commission’s next meeting.
Why it matters: Commission members noted that TNCs stopping in travel lanes have induced traffic backups and safety concerns for other curb users. Staff said geofencing and designated, signed loading zones are intended to reduce random stopping behavior and to create safer, predictable drop-off points for riders and drivers.
Staff also noted the curbside project is considering broader curb uses that include pick-up/drop-off, delivery loading and shared-mobility access. One commissioner asked whether the outreach would include timing and responsibilities for liaison volunteers; staff said they would follow up with details to commissioners.
There was no formal vote; this item was presented as an update and an opportunity to volunteer for liaison roles.
