A virtual loading bay that allows operators to pay for a time slot to load or unload on restricted kerb space will be trialled in south-west London. The Kerb Virtual Parking System (VPS) is one of a series of projects as part of Innovate UK’s £19m First of a Kind Deployment competition.
Freight in the City reports about the VPS-project:
The system will allow drivers to park closely to their delivery point without causing congestion or running the risk of receiving a penalty charge notice. Local authorities will decide the fee and which locations are to be used. These can be vehicle- and time-specific to help nudge behaviour into off-peak periods and to prioritise low-emission vehicles. This can help manage poor air quality hotspots, incentivise the use of cleaner delivery vehicles, and improve traffic flow across the borough.
VPS will slash costs associated with administering and receiving penalty charge notices for both councils and operators, as well as reduce fuel through more optimised deliveries and better multi-drop planning capability. Other benefits include bookable rapid chargers in reserved bays and access to previously difficult-to-reach locations.
Read more at freightinthecity.com and Grid Smarter Cities