BC green plan proposes nighttime trucking

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — To avoid congestion and the truck idling that comes with it, B.C.’s climate-change panel is recommending that container trucks heading to and from Prince Rupert and other ports make most of their runs at night.

A report released last week discusses the option as an attempt to avoid stop-and-go trucking though high traffic zones in urbanized areas in the Northern Interior, reports Canadian Press.

Jeff Burghardt, president and CEO of Prince Rupert Grain Ltd., told CP that it’s a good idea but large big box shippers like Wal-Mart would have to get on board with new loading scheduling that emphasizes nighttime runs.

Canadian Trucking Alliance President David Bradley has in the past had similar responses to politicians who have proposed limiting truck travel in urban areas during peak-volume hours.

Last year, Toronto Councillor Michael Walker pushed to ban trucks in Hogtown’s downtown core during the day. Bradley pointed out that many trucking carriers already prefer operating during off-peak times, but "that it is not our call but that of our customers as to when deliveries need to be made."