In cities around the world, logistics plays a crucial but often invisible role. From early morning supermarket deliveries to the increasing number of parcel vans navigating through neighborhoods, urban freight is an integral part of daily life. Yet, despite its importance, city logistics remains under-researched and poorly understood, mainly due to a lack of good data. Cities, researchers, and private operators are now collaborating to gather logistics data, which is opening up new opportunities for scientific advancements.
Collecting data on city logistics, such as vehicle types, delivery routes, loading activities, and time-of-day patterns, provides a foundation for evidence-based research. It allows scientists to move beyond assumptions and model the fundamental dynamics of freight flows in urban areas. With reliable data, researchers can calibrate and validate models that simulate traffic, emissions, and delivery performance, helping cities plan more effectively.
Data also enables rigorous evaluation of policy measures. When cities introduce zero-emission zones, adjust delivery windows, or promote cargo bikes and consolidation hubs, researchers can use logistics data to assess the impact on traffic congestion, air quality, and business operations. Without such insights, it’s impossible to know what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
Sustainability is another area where data plays a vital role. Urban freight is a significant source of CO₂ and air pollutants; yet, few cities have an accurate understanding of its environmental footprint. By collecting and analyzing logistics data, scientists can quantify emissions and explore the potential benefits of electrification, route optimization, or thoughtful planning. These insights support climate action plans and help justify investments in cleaner infrastructure.
Beyond transport and environmental science, city logistics data is relevant for research into behavioral change, platform economics, and urban systems. It helps us understand how shippers, logistics providers, and receivers adapt to new rules or technologies. It also reveals how logistics interacts with retail, land use, and public space, key to designing multifunctional, livable cities.
City logistics data isn’t just about better trucks or more intelligent routing. It’s a window into how our urban systems function—and how they can evolve. For researchers, it’s a goldmine of insight. For cities, it’s a tool for transformation. The more we know about urban freight, the better equipped we are to make it sustainable, efficient, and fair.