Author archives

What Hamburg can teach about smarter cities: lessons from the MOVE21 Project

How can cities become cleaner, more efficient, and better connected? Hamburg’s MOVE21 project offers some inspiring answers. In collaboration with the Bezirksamt Altona, the project has developed a Best Practice Manual that examines real-world examples of neighborhood hubs—multifunctional spaces that bring together logistics, mobility, and even social services. Whether placed in existing buildings or public …

Classics: Understanding the meaning of collaboration in the supply chain

In 2004, Mark Barratt wrote his classic work “Understanding the meaning of collaboration in the supply chain” on supply chain collaboration. Barratt presents his vision of collaboration and the factors involved in its success. It offers wise lessons that are still held today and collaboration in city logistics. Companies systematically work on improving the efficiency …

Zero-emission commercial vehicles: Tax benefits and incentives in Europe

Most European countries provide varying fiscal support to boost the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and vans. The updated 2025 ACEA report comprehensively examines the tax benefits and incentives for zero-emission vehicle acquisition and charging/hydrogen refilling infrastructure in the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Conclusions: Over a third …

Decarbonising parcel deliveries in England: When the national strategy fails to meet local needs and expectations

A new research paper examines the views of 35 local authorities in England on potential solutions for decarbonizing last-mile parcel deliveries, focusing on the perceived challenges and drivers of implementation. Using co-design and participatory methods, the study engaged stakeholders with diverse expertise in a back-casting process to develop actionable strategies for reducing emissions. The proposed …

What is the city logistics van of the future?

The light commercial vehicle, or delivery van, is the workhorse of both companies and the self-employed in the economy. And with good reason: it is a multifunctional and flexible mode of transport and compared to (smaller) trucks and cars it is also cheap to buy and use. Moreover, a ‘lighter’ drivers license B is sufficient to drive …

Assessing urban freight tours: a machine learning and life cycle sustainability assessment

A recent study aims to assess urban freight tours by integrating machine learning with the Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). The research captures supply chain operations using the Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR) model, real-time data from surveys, and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking. These predictions were analysed using LCSA to assess the sustainability impacts of …

E-lcv’s in residential areas?

Approximately 40% of vans are parked outside business parks, often at the homes of self-employed workers or employees. Only 20% of these households have a private driveway; the rest rely on public charging infrastructure. Vans typically charge in the evening or at night and have a higher charging demand than passenger cars. For municipalities, this …

France advances circular economy with EPR for construction waste

In France, national and EU-level regulations guide the recycling of construction and demolition materials to foster a circular economy and reduce environmental impact. The Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC Law) was a key milestone introduced in 2020. This law established Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for building materials, making producers accountable for the entire lifecycle …

How can AI support transport planning?

Transport managers oversee the movement of goods and ensure it’s done efficiently, cost-effectively, and on time. According to ChatGPT, here’s how AI can support them: 1. Data-Driven AI uses fleet telematics, traffic feeds, fuel consumption logs, delivery schedules, and more. AI Tools Help With: Monitoring vehicle location, load, and performance in real time Forecasting delivery …

Can housing and logistics activities be in the same neighborhood?

ChatGPT said: Combining housing and logistics activities in the same neighborhood is possible, but it requires careful planning and design to ensure livability, safety, and efficiency. High-performance and low-impact supply chains benefit from the presence of logistics facilities in proximity to goods’ destinations. ‘Proximity logistics’ is the development of logistics facilities in high-demand areas, which …