Motivation
Within distribution logistics, the “last mile” refers to the last part of the supply chain where the final goods are handed over to the customer. Last mile logistics is characterized by a high level of complexity, as increasingly smaller orders and shipments are being transported over short distances in small transport vehicles due to online retail. The “last mile” is therefore characterized by high costs, low efficiency and a considerable environmental impact. The growing volume of transport and traffic, particularly in urban areas, leads to a variety of challenges such as congestion, noise, greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions and an increased safety risk due to accidents.
In order to meet these challenges, the use of innovative and environmentally friendly logistics systems is a basis for achieving sustainable effects on the last mile. In particular, the use of electrically powered vehicles and micro-hub structures is being used more and more in practice and promises to improve the impact on emissions, logistics costs and traffic management, for example. Climate-neutral (electromobile) delivery systems differ from conventional systems in terms of their technical performance, infrastructure requirements and costs. A complete replacement in terms of climate-neutral last-mile logistics is both technically and economically possible, but requires a tailor-made design for the combination of delivery systems and associated infrastructure in relation to the specific conditions in the respective delivery areas.
Aim of the project
Using an open data approach, an application for the (partially) automated design of a climate-neutral last-mile logistics system is to be created for the 80 largest German cities on the basis of heterogeneous data (spatial structure data, RytleX delivery data, traffic flow data, etc.). The basis is a modular kit, consisting of micro-hubs, e-transporters and cargo bikes, among other things, with which an individual combination of different delivery systems including infrastructure can be developed for each city.
Project procedure
First, the data requirements are determined with regard to the description of the delivery systems and areas with a view to a matching process. This includes spatial structure data, logistics market data, traffic data, socio-demographic data, infrastructure data and environmental and weather data. In addition, the modular system is recorded in relation to various delivery systems and hub variants.
This builds on the findings on data correlations between the regional transport system (city) and mobility subsystem (here last-mile logistics) from the mFUND predecessor projects ZMo and SIP.
The requirements for the application will then be defined and a software architecture developed.
Expected results
ZFirst of all, the data requirements regarding the description of the delivery systems and areas will be determined with regard to a matching process. This includes spatial structure data, logistics market data, traffic data, socio-demographic data, infrastructure data and environmental and weather data. In addition, the modular system is recorded in relation to various delivery systems and hub variants.
This builds on the findings on data correlations between the regional transport system (city) and mobility subsystem (here last-mile logistics) from the mFUND predecessor projects ZMo and SIP.
The requirements for the application are then defined and a software architecture is developed.
The project funding
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the “mFUND” announcement.
The project runs from June 2024 to May 2027.
Here you can find the GDA-project-profile.