Highlights
CITY OF ARLINGTON TO RESEARCH USE OF DRONES , ROBOTS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WHILE MAKING FOOD BANK DELIVERIES TO HOMES
# Leveraging Technology
How can food banks get canned goods , pasta , and other critical pantry staples to disadvantaged communities or individuals with mobility challenges without relying on delivery vehicles that idle at the curb during each drop off ? With the help of a $ 780,182 U . S . Department of Energy grant , the City of Arlington will conduct an innovative pilot program to test the efficiency and scalability of using autonomous , electric delivery vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while serving residents in need .
The City of Arlington was among 45 recipients nationwide selected by the Department of Energy ’ s Vehicle Technologies Office competitive grant program , which provides funding to advance research , development , demonstration , and deployment of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector . The total project cost is estimated at $ 1.6 million , nearly half of which is grant funded . The required local match will come from contributions from all project partners through in-kind staff time and the use of equipment .
Arlington is partnering with Tarrant Area Food Bank , the University of Texas at Arlington ( UTA ), the North Central Texas Council of Governments ( NCTCOG ), Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition ( hosted at the NCTCOG ), Airspace Link , Aerialoop , and Clevon to implement the Multimodal Delivery Project through 2025 . The goal of this two-year study is to test and evaluate the use of noemission or low-emission drones and four-wheeled robots that are smaller than cars to deliver essential food items to individuals who are mobility challenged , historically disadvantaged , or lack a reliable means of transportation .
The City plans to host a showcase , where the public can see the technology and learn more about the study prior to the first deliveries , next spring .
Anticipated benefits from the project include knowledge that could help scale similar delivery services to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled , reduce greenhouse gas emissions , and improve overall efficiencies in delivery and transportation systems . Lessons learned from this project in Arlington will be shared widely to help other communities seeking similar benefits .
For more detailed information on this project , please click on this link .