Category «Research»

Spatial participatory planning for urban logistics: a GIS-enhanced real-time spatial Delphi approach

Effective urban logistics planning is essential for managing infrastructure and transportation networks, helping to reduce the negative impacts of last-mile deliveries and promoting city sustainability. Among various supply chain management tasks, choosing strategic locations for logistics facilities—such as automated parcel lockers and smart loading bays—in urban areas is particularly significant. However, decision-making in this area …

Last but not least: a paradoxical sustainability exploration in last-mile delivery and city logistics

As societal challenges intensify and business practices shift, Helleke Heikkinen’s thesis encourages a fresh perspective on sustainability in last-mile delivery (LMD) and urban logistics. It calls upon managers, policymakers, and researchers to engage in collaborative discussions and adopt a paradoxical approach to sustainability. In an age of rapid urbanization and the rise of e-commerce, the …

Wheel of change: a systematic literature review on innovation in micro-mobility

Urban transportation is evolving rapidly with advancements in micro-mobility, driven by sustainable infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and compact electric vehicles. Entrepreneurs leverage these innovations to create new transportation solutions while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. A recent study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship within micro-mobility. It examines …

Research: using LTL-logistics service providers as urban consolidation centers

Proximity logistics offer a counter approach to logistics sprawl, bringing logistics operations back to urban centers. In the example, a logistics provider in the groupage and less-than-truckload (LTL) segment operates an urban consolidation center (UCC) in Düsseldorf. This provider supports inner-city businesses by offering receiver-led consolidation, stockholding, and other services. The case presented in a …

How to avoid service disruptions in last-mile and first-mile reverse logistics

The rapid growth of e-commerce in recent years has transformed how retailers and customers interact. This shift has significantly impacted freight distribution, as customers now expect their orders to be delivered directly to, or near, the point of consumption. Consequently, the volume of freight handled by logistics operators has surged, leading to an increase in …

New report estimates €1.5 trillion investment needed for sustainable mobility by 2050 in Europe

EIT Urban Mobility has unveiled its latest study, “Costs and Benefits of the Urban Mobility Transition.” This comprehensive report examines how European cities can navigate the complex path to meet the EU Green Deal’s transport sector goals for 2030 and 2050, assessing various mobility strategies’ financial and societal impacts. Transition scenarios An update to the …

Review and research: the last-mile delivery of heavy, bulky and oversized products

Last-mile delivery (LMD) is a challenging and costly supply chain process that involves direct customer interaction. Last-mile logistics is an emerging research area. In particular, the European Commission Directorate General for Energy and Transport provides guidelines for abnormal road transport, such as heavy, bulky, and oversized (HBO) products. Review of literature Many research articles and …

Evaluating spatial inequity in last-mile delivery: a US analysis

Despite extensive research on e-commerce’s impacts on last-mile logistics and sustainability, there has been limited focus on evaluating urban freight through an equity lens. To address this gap, a recent study introduces a modeling framework designed to help researchers and planners estimate the baseline equity performance of a major e-commerce platform and assess the equity …

MoLo Hubs guideline report ‘Spatial planning & city design’

The MoLo Hubs guideline report ‘Spatial planning & city design‘ has been published. The report defines considerations and good practices for spatial planning and city design and assists host partners in setting up their pilot. The report distinguishes two levels within the theme ‘spatial planning and city design’. Hubdesign: its appearance (design, materials, and visibility) …

Are e-trucks at a tipping point?

At a Climate Week NY 2024 session hosted by Smart Freight Centre and BloombergNEF (BNEF), a report, “Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles: The Time is Now,” highlighted the pressing need to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks. The Dutch government supports the report. The report provides a detailed analysis of the current state of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and emphasizes …