Author archives

PULSe: urban logistics solutions based on Eco-friendly vehicles in Rome

The new PULSe project investigates, analyses, and evaluates to validate the technical-regulatory-operational-behavioral requirements and environmental-economic-social impacts of two public-private, innovative urban logistics solutions in the metropolitan area of Rome. The solutions investigated will be:1. Shared charging/refill stations hub for electric and hydrogen freight vehicles,2. Service trips and reverse logistics with eco-friendly vehicles. In particular, the …

Amazon: fulfillment cost in 2023 35,6% of net sales

Amazon surpassed sales expectations during the 2023 holiday shopping season. The net product sales for the last quarter of 2023 were 76,7 $ billion, reflecting a 9 percent increase from the previous year. Despite facing challenges from cost-conscious consumers and increased expenses, Amazon’s holiday sales events provided optimistic signs of a potential recovery in its …

The city logistics challenge: zero-impact

City logistics is about economically vital and healthy city centers and residential areas. Fortunately, it now encompasses much more than zero-emission, addressing issues such as reducing CO2, enhancing road safety, minimizing noise, and, most importantly, reducing traffic and using public space: zero impact. Over the next 5 to 10 years, achieving zero-impact city logistics means: …

Research: designing zero-emissions containerized last-mile delivery systems

New research investigates the benefits of using swap containers in Two-Echelon (2E) urban delivery systems, which extend beyond the reduced handling costs and processing time in van-bike delivery systems. By drawing on the success of standardized freight containers in the international shipping industry, swap containers can substitute low-capacity vehicles in the first delivery echelon with …

Dutch Foodlogica is out-of-business

Foodlogica is the only fully electric logistics service provider focusing on chilled solutions for the last mile. Foodlogica assists food businesses, such as clients of caterers, clients of food producers (hospitality), and clients of food box suppliers, primarily in Amsterdam. Foodlogica has suffered some operational issues in the past period, resulting from a difficult time …

A planning tool for improving the provision of loading docks

For freight and service vehicles entering a city, parking plays a crucial role in providing access to serve customers. This typically occurs on the street in designated parking spaces or in modern buildings in off-street facilities. Given the evolving priorities in urban planning and the consequent reduction in on-street loading zone availability, this paper delves …

Artificial intelligence will transform the logistics of consumer deliveries

Artificial intelligence will transform the logistics of consumer deliveries. AI promises to transform last-mile deliveries with some new technologies and improvements to old ones. The Wall Street Journal reports about it. Promising innovations are: Putting smarter drones in the air Sending robots to your door Predicting parking spaces Making the drivers safer Optimizing routes in …

Dutch transportation platform Quicargo looks to bounce back from bankruptcy

After eight years, Quicargo, a Dutch transportation platform, is temporarily halting its operations. During the last week, a bankruptcy was initiated, prompted by an unforeseen setback in investor commitments. This measure is being taken to facilitate discussions with partners and explore potential solutions for the company’s financial challenges and future business development. In recent months, …