Exponential growth in online commerce is reshaping the Region’s future transportation and warehousing needs.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is accepting public comment on its draft e-commerce report through Oct. 23.
According to NIRPC’s draft report, growth of e-commerce will impact roadway network use and requirements. Urban freight delivery growth is largely expected to expand 40% by 2050.
The INDOT Freight Plan estimated that freight volumes on major Northwest Indiana roads will climb from 13,000 to 44,000 trucks daily, the report said. This will lead to increased traffic congestion and negatively impact air quality.
NIRPC said traditional big-box competitors also are under pressure to reduce delivery lead times to increase speed to market, which directly impacts the transportation network. E-commerce is quickly changing cities and suburbs and will also impact employment, where job training should be made available to accommodate advances in technology.
Expansion of e-commerce also will also increase demand on facilities such as warehousing, distribution centers, and last mile delivery, NIRPC said.
