by Walther Ploos van Amstel
The advancement of new technologies and the increasingly inseparable presence of logistics systems in the daily life of cities, industries, companies, and society has been modifying how logistics processes are implemented in these environments based on technological innovations, internet, virtual businesses, mobility, and the use of multi-channel distribution. Together with these changes, urban centers have …
Road transport is an enabler for economic and social life and one of the key sectors of the EU, corresponding to at least 5% of the European Gross Value Added and employing around 10.3 million people. Today, approximately 73 % of the total EU population lives in cities, towns, and suburbs, and the urban population’s …
City logistics must be organized more sustainably and eventually decarbonize. To this end, the focus is mainly on electrification as a technical measure, whereby electric equivalents eventually substitute conventional vehicles. There are, however, numerous decarbonization strategies for city logistics, some of which aim to reduce the number of vehicle movements by changing demand, more collaboration …
E-commerce is a rapidly evolving sector. With 94% of Belgian inhabitants having access to the internet, 80% of them are e-shoppers. Additionally, 7 in 10 Belgians shopped at least once to up to five times during the past three months to the survey conducted in 2021 by EUROSTAT. Impact of e-commerce deliveries The consumers’ convenience …
Supply chains, city logistics, and freight transport have been pressured to improve productivity, quality, and sustainability. But unfortunately, conventional practice methods cannot respond to this industry’s ever-growing challenges and needs. The development of contemporary city logistics education has the utmost importance. New methods/technologies have emerged to respond to this issue, making urban freight logistics a …
The overall goal of urban freight logistics is to provide better and more customized last-time logistic services for citizens, fostering local economic development through local logistics businesses while reducing the negative impact the delivery of goods has on our urban environment. The European Commission shows a clear interest in sustainable solutions for urban freight logistics, …
Implementation of construction projects is a determinant of the development of modern cities. However, this entails transport for supply purposes, significantly affecting the volume of freight transport in cities. Such a large share translates into a growing interest in more sustainable ways of organizing and providing construction-related transportation. A new paper presents research to build …
Autonomous delivery robots are a promising alternative for last-mile delivery. To realize the successful implementation of delivery robots in public spaces, it is important to study the interaction between robots and the traffic environment. The traffic environment includes the physical infrastructure and the objects using it, like cars and people. New research proposes an assessment …
When the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management pulled the plug on the Super Eco Combi (SEC) in May 2022, it seemed to be the end for extra-long trucks in the Netherlands. While an increasing number of European countries, such as Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Spain, chose the SEC as a sustainable option. The …
Cargo bike deliveries have a role in reaching net zero ambitions, reducing congestion, and providing an efficient and affordable means of logistics. Cargo bike deliveries also have the potential to provide quality employment, differentiated from the ‘gig economy.’ However, cargo bike delivery riders can experience precarious work and health and safety risks. Furthermore, the workforce …