Category «Research»

Freight transport by vans in Switzerland: operational profiles, challenges and options for action

Freight transport using light commercial vehicles in Switzerland is increasing at a faster rate than overall freight transport. A 2023 study examined the role of various types of light vehicles in commercial traffic, identified and evaluated operational patterns across freight and service transport segments, highlighted key areas of conflict, and assessed potential future developments and …

Strategic fleet replacement for the electrification of heavy-duty road freight transportation

Electric trucks (ETs) offer a promising pathway for decarbonizing road freight transport, yet their integration into logistics company fleets presents significant challenges. Fleet managers must navigate complex trade-offs between investments in electric trucks (ETs) and conventional diesel trucks (DTs), assess the operational impacts of shifting fleet compositions, and plan strategically for depot charging infrastructure. To …

The key role of motorized two-wheelers in boosting the earnings of on-demand delivery workers

In France, earnings from delivery workers involved in on-demand instant delivery are not well known. Using data from two waves of a survey conducted in Paris with instant delivery workers, this research presents the interactions between types of delivery gigs, operations and vehicles that lead to differences in income earned from delivery. The results show …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The installation industry: transitioning to smart and zero-emission mobility

The Dutch installation industry has an annual turnover of approximately €33 billion and employs around 180,000 people. About 29% of installation revenue is spent on maintenance contracts, troubleshooting, and modifications such as short-term and customer-specific projects. Around 80-85% of service visits to buildings involve residential properties, while 15-20% concern commercial buildings. Service engineers drive 264 …

Collaborative distribution network design for sustainable parcel deliveries: a strategic modelling approach

The growth of e-commerce has driven higher demand for B2C transportation, creating challenges for urban distribution and upstream supply networks. Various sustainable transport strategies have been proposed to mitigate the impact of freight movement. However, these strategies must balance economic, environmental, and social considerations. A recent study evaluates a sustainable distribution strategy based on collaborative …

A Generic Modelling Framework for Last-Mile Delivery Systems

A new study presents a generic modeling framework that integrates agent-based models (ABM), specifically HUMAT and MASS-GT, to address the complexity of last-mile delivery (LMD) systems. This framework simulates and evaluates the dynamics of urban goods flow across different cities, focusing on consumer behavior and delivery logistics, which are crucial for optimizing LMD strategies. Key …

Amsterdam starts Park + Switch hub for service engineers

Social media exploded over Amsterdam’s trial with a “klushub.” In the Piet Heingarage, a pilot project called Park + Switch Amsterdam is being launched as a transfer point where entrepreneurs can park their vehicles and switch to electric ones. Online blog GeenStijl commented on the hub: “This pie-in-the-sky idea, dreamed up by desk-jockey bureaucrats, is almost as …