Managing truck impacts
Unlike ports in other major cities, the Port of Oakland isn’t located in an industrial backland. It’s just across the freeway from residential neighborhoods. That requires careful management to minimize the impact of Port operations on nearby communities.
In 2018, the Port and City of Oakland collaborated with neighbors to address one key impact – truck traffic. The two agencies developed a Truck Management Plan that’s expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2019. The plan is intended to improve Oakland’s quality of life. It’s objectives:
- Reduce disruption for residents and businesses in West Oakland from truck traffic and truck parking.
- Increase safety near designated truck routes.
- Educate drivers about preferred truck routes and city parking restrictions.
This is no small task. About 3,000 big rigs daily drive in and out of the Port. Though most wind up on bordering freeways, some transit neighboring city streets. The plan is intended to steer those drivers to a few designated truck routes. It would also tightly restrict parking on city streets.
The plan is an outgrowth of a Port commitment to address community concerns about industrial development. The Port and City conducted five community workshops during 2018 to learn about those concerns.
The plan would steer trucks away from residential areas with the help of new, more prominent signage for Truck Routes and preferred delivery routes for truck-oriented businesses in West Oakland. Safety measures at street intersections near the Port could include high-visibility crosswalks, improved signage and pedestrian safety zones.
The plan would also propose changes in parking regulations. City staff would be responsible for enforcing truck regulations, according to the plan. Steps would include refresher courses in how to write parking citations for trucks and trailers. The City could also consider hiking fines for truck parking violations.
