Completed research project: Smart urban freight logistics

Energy efficient and CO2-free urban logistics will be achievable in the future. A substantial contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be possible by 2050.

Energy efficient and CO2-free urban logistics will be achievable in the future. A substantial contribution to the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will be possible by 2050. For a successful implementation, cooperation between public authorities and private actors is essential. This was the conclusion drawn by the completed NRP 71 project “Smart urban logistics”, which was headed up by Martin Ruesch.

The aim of the project was to evaluate the potential for more efficient energy use, for the substitution of non-renewable energy resources and for the reduction of CO2-emissions in Swiss urban logistics by 2050. Different approaches (technical, infrastructural, logistical, co-operational, regulatory, behavioural) towards achieving these improvements have been investigated along with the necessary framework conditions.

The vision of energy efficient and CO2-free urban logistics developed for 2050 is feasible. The project has shown that this will require changes with regard to the use of technologies and infrastructure, the design of services and delivery concepts, market organisation and cooperation, planning and regulation, and finally to consumer behaviour. The impact analysis undertaken in the project illustrated that a significant contribution to the Swiss energy strategy 2050 is possible.

The implementation of the vision will contribute about 7% to the targets of the energy strategy 2050 and about 9% to the reduction targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Furthermore, there will be spill-over effects onto other means of transport and technology fields, which will further boost energy efficiency and reductions in GHG emissions. Changes in the regulatory framework, the political will to support the vision and the willingness of the shippers and logistics actors are necessary for a full implementation.