EcoLogistics Challenge 2021 - Winner

About the EcoLogistics Challenge

Urban freight and logistics is growing fast and it is a major economic enabler. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a boom in e-commerce and has accelerated the need for last-mile logistics. This growth comes at a cost. In recent years, global freight transport has accounted for around 36 percent of the total transport-related emissions and the figure is expected to be at least equivalent to passenger transport by 2050 (ITF Transport Outlook 2019). Cities and regions are facing the challenge of curbing the adverse impacts of freight transport and logistics such as congestion, growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollution and road safety.

The EcoLogistics Challenge, organized by ICLEI and the City of Taoyuan, aims to kick-start local actions towards sustainable, clean, efficient, and safe urban freight through the EcoLogistics Principles.

ICLEI and Taoyuan City invite local and regional authorities, start-ups and civil society organizations to take on the EcoLogistics challenge and submit a short-term pilot project addressing sustainability in last-mile logistics which highlights innovative approaches and partnerships.

We received 14 project submissions from 9 different countries. Many approaches to sustainable last-mile logistics were submitted to us, which highlights the existing diversity of solutions being implemented by cities in their quest to make freight transport more sustainable. The chosen project is.

Leveraging data for curbside optimization for last-mile delivery: Vianova partnering with Mexico City and ITDP in a pilot project

New freight challenges in Mexico City:

  • Substantial increase in e-commerce deliveries.
  • Changes in delivery practices are more frequent and shorter stops.
  • Changes in curbside use with near transport modes using public spaces.

How can this project address the challenges?

  • Ensure safety for urban delivery drivers and other public space users.
  • More transparency and better collaboration between urban delivery stakeholders.
  • Provide city policymakers insights on urban logistics activities to make informed decisions on urban infrastructure optimization.
  • Optimize last-mile delivery efficiency and sustainability for e-cargo bikes.
  • Value data generated by urban logistics companies and their connected vehicles fleet.

Project details:

The project focuses on creating a collaboration between Mexico City and the urban logistics operators operating e-cargo bikes and delivery vans in specific areas such as Estafeta or Mercado Libre.

Vianova will collect data from the operators, including vehicle ID and stop locations, in real-time. Then aggregate and process the data collected to ensure data privacy protection and GDPR compliance data exchange services and storage. The data will be made available to the stakeholders through APIs and a SaaS Geospatial analytics and regulations platform. 

Project outputs:

  • Better understand delivery parking zones usage in the defined area regarding e-cargo bike and van deliveries. 
  • Localize areas where the current infrastructure doesn’t match the delivery needs 
  • Digitally create dynamic geo-fenced regulations communicated in real-time to logistic operators: speed limit, parking zones, pedestrian areas, etc. 
  • Audit the urban logistic operator’s compliance with the regulations implemented.

Collaboration between

About the EcoLogistics Community

The ICLEI EcoLogistics Community (“Community”) formed in 2020 is the first city network globally committed to a sustainable urban freight future. The Community leads sustainable urban freight development in their cities and drives global actions in the international stage through collaborative exchange, action plans and stakeholder engagements.

Bringing together ambitious cities and experts, the Community promotes emerging solutions and joint actions to contribute to achieving global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris agreement.

Partners

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.

The fifth-largest populated city on the island of Taiwan, Taoyuan is an international transport hub and logistic industry center, home of 80 percent of logistics companies locally and the 8th busiest by international freight traffic globally.

ICLEI Member since 2011, Taoyuan now serves as the Chair of the ICLEI EcoLogistics Community.

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