Research: travel behavior of e-commerce customers

E-commerce has become an integral part of daily life for many consumers, with both purchase frequency and expenditure witnessing remarkable increases in recent years. A recent Belgian study highlights a notable transition from less frequent purchases (every 3 to 6 months and every 6 to 12 months) to more frequent ones (monthly and weekly). This …

Using Amsterdam waterways for city logistics

A recent study by Dutch TNO explores the potential of shifting transportation modes from roads to waterways to mitigate adverse externalities like CO2 emissions, congestion, and air pollution associated with last-mile construction logistics in urban settings. The investigation was carried out within the framework of the Amsterdam Vaart! project, where the transportation activities of sixteen …

CIDAUT uses artificial intelligence to monitor use of parking spaces

CIDAUT, in collaboration with the Valladolid City Council, is implementing various initiatives to enhance urban transportation, making it smarter and more sustainable. Among these initiatives, which encompass connectivity solutions and the decarbonization of mobility, researchers would like to introduce one focused on monitoring vehicles utilizing designated charge and discharge parking slots, particularly intended for last-mile …

Study finds electric buses can be powered by existing metro network in Amsterdam

AMS Institute, in collaboration with Amsterdam GVB and TU Delft’s public transport operators, has explored the integration of new electric bus chargers into the existing but underutilized energy infrastructure: the metro grid of the Noord-Zuidlijn in Amsterdam. The project devises a strategy to alleviate grid congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize energy costs while …

Ride-sourcing platforms thrive on socio-economic inequality

Limited market share data suggests that ride-sourcing platforms may thrive in environments characterized by socio-economic inequality. This phenomenon is likely due to the availability of cheap labor and a higher proportion of travelers willing to pay above-average prices for time savings and comfort. To investigate this relationship, TU Delft researchers utilized an agent-based simulation model …

WAlking and PArking Dynamics of Drivers: analysis and model development for sustainable urban delivery

A new project addresses the critical but often overlooked aspects of delivery drivers’ walking and parking behaviors in urban logistics: WAlking and PArking Dynamics of Drivers (WAPADD). With 80% of a delivery driver’s time spent outside the vehicle during the last leg of delivery, comprehending these dynamics becomes pivotal for sustainable urban delivery routes. The …

The state of sustainable urban last-mile freight planning in US cities

In the US, the transportation sector is the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Cities nationwide are responding to this challenge by devising climate action and sustainability plans to mitigate transportation-related carbon footprints. However, amidst this effort, the burgeoning last-mile delivery sector, a vital component of urban transport, remains largely overlooked regarding emissions reduction strategies. …

The physical Internet: a sustainable last-mile delivery model

City logistics is slowly growing, and vehicle emissions have increased as well. For example, in 2019, 40% of the transport sector’s CO2 emissions were caused by freight transport. Another negative aspect has been the increasing costs for logistics companies due to the high number of deliveries in e-commerce. Looking specifically at parcel deliveries, the high …