E-Vail Courier: An e-delivery pilot for Vail

Update: The E-Vail Courier Program has been adopted. 
See details here: www.vailgov.com/loadingdelivery

• Town Council to Consider Full Implementation of E-Vail Courier Program to Permanently Improve Loading and Delivery Operations in Vail Village

  Opportunities for public comment are available

  The Vail Town Council is expected to approve sweeping changes to the town’s existing loading and delivery regulations when it considers second reading of Ord. No. 15 at its evening meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The ordinance builds upon the success of the E-Vail Courier pilot program which has been in place since November 2021. Tuesday’s action item is listed as 6.1 on the meeting agenda which begins at 6 p.m. in the Vail Town Council Chambers.

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• Town Council to Consider Draft Ordinance for Full Implementation of E-Vail Courier Program to Permanently Improve Loading and Delivery Operations in Vail Village

  The Vail Town Council will review sweeping changes to the town’s existing loading and delivery regulations when it considers first reading of Ord. No. 15 at its evening meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The ordinance builds upon the success of the E-Vail Courier pilot program which has been in place since November 2021. Tuesday’s action item is listed as 5.2 on the meeting agenda which begins at 6 p.m. in the Vail Town Council Chambers with opportunities for public comment.

  Consideration of Ord. No. 15 follows an earlier review by Town Council of key provisions of the ordinance which would amend the Vail Town Code to fully implement use of electric carts to deliver goods to storefronts in Vail’s pedestrian areas while strictly limiting access by other vehicles. As drafted, the ordinance outlines new regulations and corresponding maps detailing changes to traffic flow, limitations on vehicular access, use of outlying loading docks and proposed monthly loading dock fee schedules that would be collected from delivery companies to recover a portion of the estimated annual operating cost of $1.2 million. An earlier recommendation to collect an annual loading and delivery fee from businesses in Vail Village and Lionshead has been withdrawn at the direction of the Town Council. Another modification expands the time allowed for close-in storefront access by businesses than previously recommended.

  Opportunities for public comment are available in advance of Tuesday’s meeting by emailing publicinput.vailtowncouncil@vailgov.com or will be available in-person at the meeting or virtually by registering at www.vailgov.com/town-council. The meeting will be live streamed by High Five Access Media.

  Since its launch during the 2021-2022 ski season, the goal of the E-Vail Courier pilot program has been to improve the guest experience by reducing the number of idling oversize delivery vehicles in the Village core and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since contracting with local logistics company 106 West to facilitate the program, 40 businesses are now being serviced on a regular basis which has taken 18 trucks out of the pedestrian area and into the nearby loading dock at Mountain Plaza. Up to 60,000 pounds of deliveries are being handled on busy days, with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

  The pilot program has been overseen by a working group with representation from numerous town departments, 106 West and Vail Mountain. The program has been funded by the town through Sept. 30 and is currently operating with 1 dockmaster, 4 delivery drivers, and 2 low speed electric vehicles. Full implementation of the program requires code amendments authorized by the Vail Town Council as well as additional staffing, equipment and infrastructure.

  As outlined in the draft ordinance multiple funding sources have been identified to help offset costs. This includes:

  • Monthly Loading Dock Fee – The loading dock fee, ranging from $250 to $2,250 per month, would be charged for delivery businesses that access any loading dock in the Village or Lionshead. The loading dock fee would be charged on an annual basis through a permit process managed by the police department on a tiered system.
  • Town subsidy - In addition to $100,000 start-up capital needs, the town would subsidize annual operations by approximately $600,000 from the General Fund.

  The draft ordinance also contains a map detailing access modifications to Vail Village as follows:

  • A new vehicle direction of travel
  • Additional parking for service vehicles
  • High volume commercial carrier zones
  • No delivery vehicle access on Bridge Street
  • Business owner/employee close-in vehicle access to designated areas from 9 to 11 a.m. when actively loading or unloading
  • Ski/snowboard tuning access twice daily 5 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.

  Loading and delivery operations in Lionshead Village would remain largely unchanged with adoption of the new policies; however, stricter restrictions are proposed for vehicles entering the pedestrian mall.
  
  Town ordinances require two readings and a public hearing for adoption. As proposed, the full-scale program would become effective Oct. 1, 2022, with the start of monthly loading dock fee collections.

  Review the staff memo outlining the draft ordinance here or for questions, contact Police Cmdr. Ryan Kenney at 970-477-3433 or rkenney@vailgov.com.

• Town Council to Review Recommendations for Full Implementation of E-Vail Courier Program to Permanently Improve Loading and Delivery Operations in Vail Village

  Sweeping changes to the town’s existing loading and delivery regulations that will build upon the success of the E-Vail Courier pilot program will be reviewed by the Vail Town Council at its evening meeting on Tuesday, July 19. The presentation is listed as 5.1 on the meeting agenda which begins at 6 p.m. in the Vail Town Council Chambers with opportunities for public comment.
  
  During the presentation, Town Council will review key provisions of a draft ordinance that would amend the Vail Town Code to fully implement use of electric carts to deliver goods to storefronts in Vail’s pedestrian areas while strictly limiting access by other vehicles. As drafted, the ordinance outlines new regulations and corresponding maps detailing changes to traffic flow, limitations on vehicular access, use of outlying loading docks and proposed fee schedules that would be collected from businesses and delivery companies to recover a portion of the estimated annual operating cost of $1.2 million.

  Opportunities for public comment are available in advance of Tuesday’s meeting by emailing publicinput.vailtowncouncil@vailgov.com or will be available in-person at the meeting or virtually by registering at www.vailgov.com/town-council. The meeting will be live streamed by High Five Access Media.

  Since its launch in November 2021, the goal of the E-Vail Courier pilot program has been to improve the guest experience by reducing the number of idling oversize delivery vehicles in the Village core and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since contracting with local logistics company 106 West to facilitate the program, 40 businesses are now being serviced on a regular basis which has taken 18 trucks out of the pedestrian area and into the nearby loading dock at Mountain Plaza. Up to 60,000 pounds of deliveries are being handled on busy days, with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced with an estimated 16.8 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) eliminated from trucks no longer idling in Vail Village. This also greatly reduced noise and air pollution. The expanded program has the potential to reduce an estimated 50.8 metric tons of CO2e annually while improving air quality.

  The pilot program has been overseen by a working group with representation from numerous town departments, 106 West and Vail Mountain. The program has been funded by the town through Sept. 30 and is currently operating with 1 dockmaster, 4 delivery drivers, and 2 low speed electric vehicles. Full implementation of the program requires code amendments authorized by the Vail Town Council as well as additional staffing, equipment and infrastructure.

  As outlined in the draft ordinance multiple funding sources have been identified to help offset costs without overburdening any one sector of the business community or the town’s budget. This includes:

  • Monthly Loading Dock Fee – The loading dock fee, ranging from $250 to $2,250 per month, would be charged for delivery businesses that access any loading dock in the Village or Lionshead. The loading dock fee would be charged on an annual basis through a permit process managed by the police department on a tiered system.
    
    
  • Annual Loading and Delivery Fees – Business owners would be charged annually during the time of renewal for each business license to cover approximately 20% of the costs of loading and delivery facilities. This requirement would apply to all businesses located in the Vail Village and Lionshead Core. (See map)
    • Commercial accommodation service establishments: $13 per rental interest, with a minimum fee of $200 per business
    • Accommodations service businesses in residential buildings with 24/7 on-site management services: $13 per rental interest, with a minimum fee of $200 per business
    • Restaurants, taverns, or any other business with the primary purpose of serving food and beverages: $15 per seat, with a minimum fee of $200 per business.
    • Retail establishments: $775 per business
    • All other businesses: $200 per business
      
      

  • Town subsidy - In addition to $100,000 start-up capital needs, the town would subsidize annual operations by approximately $340,000 from the General Fund.

  
  The draft ordinance also contains a map detailing access modifications to Vail Village as follows:

  • A new vehicle direction of travel
  • Additional parking for service vehicles
  • High volume commercial carrier zones
  • No delivery vehicle access on Bridge Street
  • Business owner/employee close-in vehicle access to designated areas from 10 to 11 a.m. when actively loading or unloading
  • Ski/snowboard tuning access twice daily 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.

  
  Loading and delivery operations in Lionshead Village would remain largely unchanged with adoption of the new policies; however, stricter restrictions are proposed for vehicles entering the pedestrian mall and the proposed annual loading and delivery fee would apply to those businesses.

  During Tuesday’s review, Town Council will be asked to authorize initial funding to purchase three electric carts in advance of the start of the permanent program to address supply chain issues and to provide feedback on any modifications to the ordinance before scheduling the draft for first reading consideration at the Aug. 16 meeting. Town ordinances require two readings and a public hearing for adoption. As proposed, the full-scale program would become effective Oct. 1, 2022, with the start of monthly loading dock fee collections. Annual business fees would be due by Jan. 31, 2023.

  Review the staff memo outlining the draft ordinance here or for questions, contact Police Cmdr. Ryan Kenney at 970-477-3433 or rkenney@vailgov.com.

  
  

  Village Core Map

  

  
  

  Village Access Modifications
  

• Proposed Funding Options for Consideration at Town Council Meeting on May 17

  Council expressed support for a sustainable program and is looking at funding models for full-scale implementation of the E-Delivery loading and delivery system in Vail Village to begin Oct. 1. Read the full staff memo and slide presentation here.

• 9News - Vail using small electric carts for deliveries in the core of town

  Read the 9News article and see the video here: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/vail-electric-carts-deliveries/73-f30f45f5-2330-422c-8f97-16aef9a37037

• E-Vail Courier Program extended for 6 months on March 1

  At the March 1 Town Council meeting, the E-Vail Courier program was extended by 6 months in order to gather more data and experience, not just around peak winter deliveries but also during spring and summer. The goal of the extension is to gauge year-round activity and the impact of summer events and give continuity to the pilot for the rest of the year.

• E-Vail Courier Pilot Program Launches Nov. 12

  After months of planning, a pilot program to improve loading and delivery operations in Vail Village will be officially launched on Friday, Nov. 12 to coincide with the start of the 2021-2022 ski season. Facilitated by the Vail Police Department, local logistics company 106West and Vail Resorts, the E-Vail Courier program will work with select purveyors to provide door-to-door deliveries to businesses using small electric carts in place of large delivery trucks.

  Authorized by the Town Council, the purpose of the pilot program is to improve the guest experience by reducing the number of oversize vehicles in the pedestrian areas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of electric vehicles for the final leg of deliveries.
  
  The E-Vail Courier program will direct a select group of pre-approved purveyors to an underground loading dock at Mountain Plaza near Gondola One where personnel from 106West will coordinate the unloading and staging of goods using eight underground bays and two electric carts. A tracking system will be accessible through an online portal, opendock.com, where participants will be able to log in to view the status of their delivery as it makes its way from in-transit to arrival.

  The pilot program will handle a substantial number of deliveries taking place in the Village core and will include prearranged deliveries of food, perishables, beverages, supplies and other goods. The program will be operational from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and is currently free to participating businesses. To take part in the pilot, arrangements must already be in place with 106West or a business must receive notification by an authorized vendor.

  All other existing loading and delivery regulations will remain in place throughout the winter including courier deliveries. These regulations are outlined on the town’s website at vailgov.com/loadinganddelivery and include:

  • On street, close-in delivery on Hanson Ranch Road and Bridge Street from 4 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • On street, close-in delivery on Gore Creek Drive from 4 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
  • On street close-in delivery on East Meadow Drive from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.
  • Mountain Plaza and other loading docks are available on a first-come, first-served basis 24/7.
  • First-come, first-served parking on Willow Bridge Road from 6 a.m.to 6 p.m. with permits issued at Checkpoint Charlie.
  • First-come, first-served 15-minute loading zones in front of Mountain Haus, FirstBank, and on the South Frontage Road in front of Village Inn Plaza; no permits required.

  While participation in the E-Vail Courier is limited, the pilot is being used to determine the scope and feasibility of a new delivery system for the village. This will include an analysis of volume and pricing for future consideration. Deliveries to Lionshead Village have been excluded from the pilot program due to the long-term success of a centralized underground loading dock at Arrabelle at Vail Square.

  For questions about the E-Vail Courier pilot, contact Police Cmdr. Ryan Kenney at 970-477-3433 or rkenney@vailgov.com, Code Enforcement Officer Miguel Jauregui at 970-479-2200 or mjauregui@vailgov.com or 106West Dock Manager Jason Barber at jason@106west.co or 970-754-DOCK (3625).
  
  An overview of the program is available on EngageVail.com. For afterhours assistance, call the Vail Police Department non-emergency number at 970-479-2200 and ask for a code enforcement officer.

  

  
  

• Bringing Forward an Early Idea of Innovation

  It has been said that Vail was built by skiers for skiers when Vail Mountain opened in 1962. But building a ski town from scratch demanded more than lifts and trails. Indoor running water, wastewater treatment, fire trucks, fuel and other essential infrastructure had to come together quickly. There was little time to calculate Vail’s future needs when so many other priorities were imminent. In hindsight, Vail’s early planners acknowledge a coordinated system for loading and delivery was overlooked when Vail’s first commercial buildings and streets were designed. The town has been working to catch up ever since by combining an old idea with new technology as it introduces the E-Vail Courier pilot program for the 2021-2022 winter season.

  The concept for E-Vail Courier has its roots in a Town of Vail planning document dated August 1973. Excerpts from The Vail Plan identify the ongoing problem and a revolutionary solution for its time:

  “The obvious problem as one attempts to walk within the town is, with the exception of a portion of Bridge Street in the Village and the plaza area of Lionshead, that it is literally impossible to walk without conflict with moving autos, parked autos, or unloading trucks…

  “Service trucks entering into pedestrian areas to deliver materials to stores and restaurants is not a desirable process for the pedestrian areas will suffer in quality by the presence of large trucks. It is recommended that a fleet of small electric vehicles be used as the eventual replacement for the trucks.”

  --The Vail Plan, 1973

  The enactment of the Pedestrian Mall Act in 1978 put in motion a plan to better manage vehicles in the Village core as well as the establishment of Checkpoint Charlie which is staffed by the police department to restrict unauthorized access. During the 1980s and 1990s, there were various community meetings which debated the balancing of further pedestrianization of the Village core and the need for the ever-increasing delivery of supplies and goods to keep up with the growing demand Vail was experiencing.

  The 1993 Vail Transportation Master Plan began to quantify the volume of products and mix of vehicles entering the villages. That year, approximately 19,000 delivery vehicles entered the core through Checkpoint Charlie; another 81,000 cars, construction vehicles, taxis and other service vehicles made their way to the checkpoint gate. Rules restricting access to specific times of day were put in place as well as establishment of designated on-street loading zones to manage when and where delivery vehicles could operate.

  The 1999 Loading and Delivery Study further quantified the amount of goods being delivered and divided the Village into quadrants and established the number of delivery bays needed in each quadrant. The plan also lent support and recognized the importance of snowmelting the streets in the villages to better accommodate deliveries.

  Vail’s Billion Dollar Renewal, which took hold in 2005, served as the catalyst for significant progress in implementing the community’s long-term loading and delivery goals as the town worked for more than a decade to establish public-private partnerships that were used to build a significant component of the infrastructure first suggested in the 1973 plan and outlined in later plans. A shift in thinking from a single centralized loading and delivery system facility to a series of many facilities dispersed around the commercial core areas on private property was formulated. The idea was to create a dispersed loading and delivery network in Vail Village that would use underground delivery bays to help minimize the presence of large delivery vehicles within Vail’s pedestrian areas. By 2009, shared underground delivery bays had been incorporated into redevelopments at One Willow Bridge Road, Sebastian Vail Village Inn, and Mountain Plaza. Facilities at Solaris and Four Seasons would soon follow, providing access to a total of over 30 loading bays and a multi-million-dollar investment across the five properties encircling Vail Village.

  Much to the community’s disappointment, these docks have been underutilized due to the challenges associated with labor, handcarts and other manual transports that are needed for goods to reach their final destination. Introduction of the E-Vail Courier pilot program will address these challenges by providing customized, environmentally-friendly, door-to-door deliveries – and at no additional charge to businesses.

  Deliveries to Lionshead Village have been excluded from the 2021-2022 winter pilot program due to the long-term success of a centralized underground loading dock at Arrabelle at Vail Square which opened in 2008 with six bays.

  While there is much work to do in coordinating the E-Vail Courier program, this effort could be a gamechanger in the way Vail approaches loading and delivery operations, thanks to a vision set forth in 1973.

• Vail Police Department to Host Informational Meetings to Introduce E-Vail Courier Pilot Program to Improve Loading and Delivery Operations in Vail Village

  The Vail Police Department is inviting business operators in Vail Village to attend upcoming informational meetings to learn more about a new pilot program taking place this winter to improve loading and delivery operations.

  The E-Vail Courier meetings will be held in person and in a virtual format as follows:

  • 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, Vail Town Council Chambers, 75 S. Frontage Road
    Zoom Registration Link
  • 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, Vail Town Council Chambers, 75 S Frontage Road
    Zoom Registration Link

  Face coverings will be required for those attending in person.

  Owners, managers and employees of restaurants, bars, retail shops, as well as residents of the neighborhood are encouraged to make plans to attend one of the meetings. The sessions will be used to introduce program participants, review logistical operations and answer questions about the pilot program which will be offered free of charge to participants.

  The town has contracted with 106 West, a local logistics company, to facilitate the E-Vail Courier pilot program which will work with participating purveyors to provide door-to-door deliveries using small electric carts with goods staged from the underground loading dock at Mountain Plaza near Gondola One through an arrangement between the town and Vail Resorts.

  The purpose of the E-Vail Courier pilot is two-fold: improve the guest experience by reducing the number of oversized vehicles in the pedestrian areas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of electric vehicles for the final leg of deliveries.

  The pilot program will become operational Nov. 12 and continue through the 2021-2022 winter season. Additional details are available at EngageVail.com including a survey that will be used to evaluate the current impacts of loading and delivery.

  Authorized by the Vail Town Council, the pilot program will be used to determine the scope and feasibility of a new delivery system for the village. This will include an analysis of volume and pricing for future consideration.

  If successful, the program will utilize additional loading docks located at Solaris, Sebastian, Four Seasons and One Willow. While currently available for use by all commercial vehicles, the docks have historically been underutilized due to the challenges associated with labor, handcarts and other manual transports.

  Deliveries to Lionshead Village have been excluded from the pilot program due to the long-term success of a centralized underground loading dock at Arrabelle at Vail Square.

  For questions about the E-Vail Courier pilot, contact Police Cmdr. Ryan Kenney at 970-477-3433 or rkenney@vailgov.com or Dave Riddle with 106 West at info@106west.co.

  To access the town’s current loading and delivery policies, visit vailgov.com.

  vailgov.com/government/departments/police/town-ordinances-rules/loading-and-delivering

• 8150 Report

  Town of Vail · 8150 Report - Delivery