Category «Research»

Freight Consolidation in Small Cities: A Framework for Policy Design and Urban Livability

A recent academic study offers practical guidance for local authorities in smaller cities, helping them better understand and manage freight consolidation within their urban areas. Rather than prescribing specific regulatory measures—which are often subject to political change—the study introduces a structured framework that supports evidence-based policy development to improve urban livability. The approach is grounded …

CityFreight Workshop in Bergen (N): Sustainability in Urban Logistics – What Are Key Challenges & Future Research Agendas?

Last week, I attended the CityFreight Workshop in Bergen, Norway, “Sustainability in Urban Logistics – What Are Key Challenges & Future Research Agendas?” The event was excellently organized by the Center for Climate and Energy Transformation (CET) at the University of Bergen and the Center for Shipping and Logistics at the NHH Norwegian School of …

Smart Curbside Management: Flexible Parking for Efficient Last-Mile Delivery

Aligning parking policy with real-world driver behavior—through flexible sessions, smarter pricing, and optional reservations—can significantly improve curbside efficiency and reduce delivery friction. Urban planners and transport policymakers should consider these insights when modernizing curbside management to support sustainable and efficient last-mile delivery. Urban logistics professionals know all too well the challenges of finding parking for …

Why Sustainable Logistics in Norway Still Means ‘Clean’, Not ‘Less’

In Norway, sustainable logistics is shaped by two different and often conflicting narratives—those of public authorities and businesses. While both reference sustainability, they focus on various aspects of it. Public narratives show awareness of the three “grand narratives” of sustainable logistics: decarbonization, collective logistics, and the low-mobility society. However, public authorities mostly adopt a passive …

Shift to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is starting to gain some traction, but the transition is still in its early phase

Meeting Europe’s 2030 zero-emission targets for heavy-duty vehicles requires urgent action. While OEMs face binding CO₂ targets, demand-side incentives remain limited, hindering the adoption of operators. Instruments like ETS2, CO₂-based road charges, and subsidies are essential. Hydrogen vehicles, crucial for long-haul, face early-stage market challenges and infrastructure gaps. Infrastructure needs differ: urban fleets can use …

Smart Access: How Žilina Uses AI to Improve Its Pedestrian Zone

The historic city center of Žilina is taking smart steps to optimize the entry and movement of vehicles through its pedestrian zone. Using data-driven insights and intelligent technology, the city is working to regulate access more effectively, improve urban logistics, and make more efficient use of its limited public space. Researchers analyzed extensive data on …

As exhaust emissions decrease, non-exhaust emissions are now a dominant source of PM

Air pollution remains a persistent global issue, with particulate matter (PM) pollution posing significant health and environmental challenges, particularly in urban areas. As exhaust emissions decrease, non-exhaust emissions (NEEs) – particles from brake, tire, and road wear – are now a dominant source of urban particulate matter (PM). NEEs contribute to poor air quality and …

91% of European commercial drivers say work-related stress negatively impacts driving, Geotab survey finds

A new Europe-wide survey commissioned by Geotab reveals a troubling picture of rising stress levels and road safety concerns among commercial vehicle drivers. The survey, titled “The Unseen Toll: Driver Stress and Road Safety,” gathered insights from 3,501 truck and van drivers across seven European countries and paints a clear warning: driver stress is on …

Why predicting urban construction transport demand is so difficult – And why it still matters

Urban freight models are crucial in managing city logistics, yet they often fall short in construction transport. Unlike regular freight flows driven by economic activity and consumer demand, construction logistics are shaped by a unique mix of project-specific and local contextual factors. Traditional freight models, which rely on high-level economic indicators, struggle to deal with …

Safer, Greener, Faster: AI-powered supply chains in action

In a McKinsey Talks Operations podcast episode, Sanjit Biswas, CEO and co-founder of Samsara, joins McKinsey’s Renee Jackson to explore how AI and digital solutions revolutionize logistics and supply chains. Samsara, a provider of AI-driven tools for physical operations, helps companies in logistics, construction, utilities, and government sectors to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Biswas …