Author archives

Viable business models for city logistics: exploring the cost structure and revenue streams of fourteen European cases

A new paper examines the role of the business model in city logistics, explicitly focusing on cost structures and revenue streams. City logistics aims to manage urban goods movement while balancing environmental and societal impacts with economic development. The complexity of this field necessitates effective management, and scholars recognize the business model as a valuable …

Learning from best practices in supply-side regulations for heavy-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector and the leading contributors to air pollutants like particulate matter and nitrogen oxide. As zero-emission HDV technology matures, supply-side regulations (SSRs) have emerged as a key policy tool to mitigate climate and air quality impacts. A recent ICCT research brief …

Transport for London releases its London cargo bike safety standard

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled the new London Safety Standard for Cargo Bikes, fulfilling a key commitment from its Cargo Bike Action Plan (CBAP) published in March 2023. The standard was developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and aims to promote safe practices as cargo bike usage grows across the capital. Raising Safety Standards …

Examining the transition towards institutionalized practices in curbside management

Urban streets are contested public spaces due to their limited capacity and the diverse functions they serve. Despite their multifunctionality, the needs of specific users—such as freight and delivery services—have historically been neglected in urban space allocation policies, often at the expense of overall livability. Recently, freight curbside management has emerged as a strategy to …

Economic perspectives in sustainable last-mile logistics: a systematic literature review

In recent years, cities worldwide have grappled with last-mile logistics’ impact, particularly its contribution to urban traffic congestion and pollution. These dynamics have had significant environmental consequences, including noise, road safety concerns, and air pollution. As a result, both public and private sectors must adopt innovative solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of last-mile logistics …

Zedify stops: “This isn’t the end for cargo bike deliveries”

Zedify announced that their journey might be coming to an end. Cambridge-based cargobike delivery service company Outspoken Logistics—trading as Zedify—has been placed in administration with the appointed administrators hoping for a quick sale to protect 38 out of 139 jobs. In March 2023, Outspoken Logistics secured $6.4 million in funding from institutional and angel investors. …

Last-mile logistics with alternative delivery locations: a systematic literature review

Last-mile logistics is a pivotal component of modern supply chains, especially in retail. Despite its importance in ensuring prompt deliveries to end-users, it is often regarded as the most costly and inefficient segment of the logistics process. Beyond financial implications, last-mile logistics also presents significant environmental challenges and contributes to negative social externalities, affecting customer …

Research: the perspective of citizens is crucial for urban and transportation planning.

The perspective of citizens is crucial for urban and transportation planning. Urban freight transport plays a vital role in cities by ensuring the delivery of goods and services to meet stakeholder demands. However, it also presents challenges like congestion, parking shortages, pollution, and freight-related accidents. A recent study applies partial least squares structural equation modeling …

Does paying more for parking lead to less traffic? Never underestimate the market!

Cities are becoming increasingly crowded. Keeping them livable and accessible is a major challenge. Cars, in particular, occupy a significant amount of the scarce urban space. That’s why municipalities aim to encourage residents and visitors to travel differently—by raising parking fees. If you want to park in downtown Amsterdam (NL), you’ll pay €7.50 per hour, …

The future of food service logistics in cities

One of the causes of congested city centers is the increase in traffic movements for catering supply. According to a study by Topsector Logistiek, the more than 52,000 food and beverage establishments in the Netherlands receive an average of up to twelve weekly deliveries. Governments are implementing zero-emission zones and delivery time windows to reduce …