That’s another R!sult - bike couriers & micro hubs
There are lots of experiments and pilot projects testing sustainable solutions for urban logistics, but many focus on local problems and don’t build on current insights. That’s where R!sult – the Responsive Sustainable Urban Logistics project - is different! Together with the Vlaams Instituut voor Logistiek (VIL), this pilot was set up to run in 6 cities with 22 companies. It expands further on an operable logistics process model that can be widely implemented.
Faster & bigger
Once again the ECOkoeriers have a key role in Mechelen. Up till now these cargo-bike couriers did their rounds from the ODTH City Hub in in the south of the city. Now, an electric delivery van has been deployed as a micro hub where the couriers can pick up faster and deliver larger loads to retailers in the centre. Surflogh partners in Mechelen are already intensifying this initiative and exchanging experiences within the consortium
Inneke Vos of ECOkoeriers Mechelen. “Business is really booming these days. There is a clear demand to deliver larger items, such as furniture, to the inner city. The cargo-bike has its limits in terms of capacity but by using the electric delivery van (supplied by AutoPartners) as a nearby micro hub we can now deliver in two or three runs without any time loss.”
The City of Mechelen has implemented the pilot in cooperation with VIL and is positive about the results so far. “This really boosts our city’s living environment while ensuring efficient deliveries to retailers at the same time,” says Vicky Vanmarcke, City Councillor for Mobility. The project is also supported by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
Some highlights
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One Urban Distribution Centre (UDC) can be enough to supply a city. Location is key – close to accessible infrastructure.
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A network of micro hubs is an equally interesting option, but slightly more costly.
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Micro hubs allow for an increased use of cargo-bikes
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The UDC is very suitable for logistics services with a low delivery density in the centre.
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The consolidation of last mile deliveries can cut back as much as 30 – 50% on average mileage for distributions.
Support policies needed
City administrations and their support policies play a major role in the transition towards a more sustainable and green supply chain. Within the framework of Surflogh, the City of Mechelen has been able to provide such support to test a wide range of green logistics initiatives – including the implementation of the R!sult model. Cooperation and knowledge exchange are the magic words for further development - allowing for a healthy degree of business competitiveness where possible.
Find out more: Flemish website for logistics VIL
Other projects on sustainable deliveries in Mechelen
Participants in the R!sult pilot:
Stad Antwerpen, ACP, BME * Stad Brugge, Cargo Velo, Citydepot, Colruyt, Geosquare, DHL International, Etheclo, Futurelab (bpost) * Stad Gent, GLS, Goodman * Stad Mechelen, Montea, ON TIME Logistics, OOVelo (Fietskoerier De Nil), PostNL, Proximus * Stad Sint-Niklaas, * Stad Sint-Truiden, Smartship, Tengu, Trimble, WDP, Weerts Supply Chain and Zetes.