The results of a transportation pilot project that aimed to make freight delivery in Peel more efficient and environmentally sustainable were presented to regional council on Sept. 12.

Launching Feb. 25, the Off-Peak Delivery project (OPD), was carried out over six months by researchers from the University of Toronto, in collaboration with Peel and Walmart, LCBO and Loblaws.

The three retailers committed to shifting truck deliveries outside of peak traffic hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in order to reduce emissions on regional roads during peak travel periods.

The project was carried out by researchers at the Smart Freight Centre, a collaborative network established by Peel, McMaster University, University of Toronto, and York University aimed at improving goods movement throughout the GTA. The OPD was a direct results of Peel's five-year, $1.2 million funding to Smart Freight projects.

Smart Freight director and University of Toronto engineering professor Dr. Matthew Roorda told council the 13 participating stores cut peak delivery trips by 23 per cent, resulting in a 17 per cent decrease in average trip time.

Ian Klesmer, director of strategy and grants at The Atmospheric Fund, said the GTA climate agency was an early investor in OPD for its potential to reduce carbon emissions in Peel and beyond.

An estimated $1.8 billion worth of commodities travel to, from and through Peel every day making goods movement a pillar for the regional economy. According to Peel, freight trucks account for between 10 to 15 per cent of traffic congestion in the region.

Peel Regional Chair Nando Iannicca said the projected had garnered international recognition, emphasizing the importance of planning for the need for goods movement that will come with Peel and Canada's growing population.

Mississauga Ward 9 Coun. Pat Saito praised Smart Freight, but told council retailers should help fund Smart Freight Centre, considering individual retailers reap considerable economic benefits.