by Walther Ploos van Amstel
How can urban freight in densely populated cities be organized smartly and sustainably? The final report of the joint project Smart Zone Stuttgart, commissioned by the state capital Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer IAO, the cooperating IAT of the University of Stuttgart, and ParkUnload shows what digital delivery zone management in the state capital can look like …
The maturation of online consumption and the amplification of cities’ initiatives in response to local and global environmental challenges has placed goods transport, an essential but impactful activity, at the forefront of urban stakeholders’ scrutiny. High-performance and low-impact supply chains benefit from the presence of logistics facilities in proximity to goods’ destinations. This development of …
The growing demand for fast, contactless deliveries has driven firms to experiment with automated package-delivery vehicles that can avoid urban traffic and rapidly reach customers. Widespread adoption of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to replace a portion of first/last-mile truck pickups and deliveries could reshape transportation energy by changing demand patterns and shifting fuel use from …
Urban freight is growing fast, and its adverse effects bring consequences for the residents, the environment, and the liveability of cities. Although understanding its dynamics has become a priority for governments, the multiplicity of actors with conflicting objectives makes it a significant urban planning challenge. A study by Juan E. Muriel et al. focuses on …
The gig economy and digital platforms have developed exponentially over the past few years. In large cities, instant on-demand meal delivery has gained tremendous momentum. Self-employed workers mainly take on this activity; consequently, they provide their own equipment and vehicle, whether their own or a rented vehicle. The aim of a paper by Camille Krier …
Since the publication of PostNL’s Q2 2022 results in August 2022, the global macroeconomic environment has further deteriorated, impacting many industries. Inflation has increased, with The Netherlands reaching a record-high level of almost 15% in September, while consumer confidence has dropped to an all-time low. This is negatively impacting consumer spending and is expected to …
Changing consumer behavior in Europe is accelerating e-commerce and the demand for city logistics. The kilometers driven by delivery vans increased by 111% between 2016 and 2020 in the Netherlands. While the growth of the city logistics sector enables a wide availability of on-demand delivery services for residents, businesses, and organizations, the sector also contributes …
Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are widely regarded as an effective way to reduce CO2 emissions and decarbonize the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector. However, the speed at which the transition from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) will happen and for which vehicle segments is still uncertain. …
Last-mile delivery success depends on consumer acceptance of such services, yet little is known about the unattended delivery experience. To address the challenges in last-mile deliveries, retailers have pushed to develop innovative delivery solutions. In particular, the emerging service of unattended home delivery offers the potential to enhance consumers’ delivery experience, as they can receive …
A US Department of Labor rule proposed this week would make it more difficult for companies to treat workers as independent contractors, a change expected to shake up ride-hailing, delivery, and other industries that rely on gig workers. The proposal would require that workers be considered employees, entitled to more benefits and legal protections than …