Monthly archives: July, 2022

Barriers to change in urban freight systems: a systematic literature review

A new paper by Mikael Kervall and Henrik Pålsson presents a systematic review covering 93 peer-reviewed journal articles. The study was designed to advance earlier research in this area by providing a system perspective on barriers to development in urban freight systems. The theoretical knowledge about these barriers was analyzed and synthesized, the relationships between …

What is the potential for shared autonomous cargo-bike fleets?

Finding a sustainable mobility solution for the future is one of the most competitive challenges in the logistics and mobility sector. As a result, policymakers, researchers, and companies are working intensively to provide novel, environmentally friendly, and sustainable options. While autonomous car-sharing services have been introduced as a promising solution, an innovative alternative is the …

Swobbee can fast-charge the use of light electric vehicles in city logistics

New logistics concepts can save cities from gridlock even as city logistics volumes are rising. For example, electric cargo bikes and other light electric vehicles handle inner city deliveries from strategically located micro-hubs, replacing diesel-powered vans. For logisticians, it means no inner city access restrictions, no search for parking spaces, and no shortage of drivers …

Perceived safety of cargo bikes: a barrier against a greener future?

While cities focus on making logistics more and more environmentally sustainable by implementing “green deals,” the potential impact of the increase of cargo bikes remains unclear. A thesis by Groningen student Youri Meerstra investigates perceived safety that residents experience with a potential increase in cargo bikes, in this case, the residents of the inner city …

Dutch PostNL introduces LEFVs in The Hague

PostNL opened a downtown hub in The Hague for sustainable and neighborhood-friendly delivery of parcels in The Hague’s Inner City. PostNL will now deliver parcels in the inner city of The Hague using small, emission-free LEVVs (light electric vehicles). This will benefit the liveability of the inner city: the vehicles are quiet, clean, narrow, maneuverable, …

Amazon: e-cargo bikes to replace thousands of van deliveries in London

Amazon is launching a fleet of e-cargo bikes and a team of on-foot delivery staff to replace thousands of van deliveries on London’s roads. With their fleet of electric delivery vans, Amazon will make more than five million zero-emission deliveries to customers yearly across more than 10% of London Ultra Low Emissions Zone. Various Amazon partner businesses will operate the …

Dutch TNO: for improving air quality, a different approach is needed

Exposure to particulate matter can have serious consequences, including respiratory diseases and the aggravation of cardiovascular diseases. In the Netherlands, 9,000 people die prematurely yearly due to particulate matter exposure. Therefore, a different approach is needed if we want to win the battle against particulate matter and permanently improve air quality in the Netherlands. Based …