The city focuses its efforts on optimising urban freight transport models and developing technological solutions aimed at improving mobility. To this end, they rely on the use of zero-emission vehicles, partially powered by photovoltaic energy and committed to pedestrian safety, and the optimisation of existing infrastructure.
By 2030, Valladolid aims to reach climate neutrality. To achieve this, the city must first address the mobility issues resulting, in part, from vehicle congestion and affecting the operability of urban delivery tasks. Traffic, coupled with population density and limited space availability, makes last-mile distribution a complex challenge that impacts on the city’s purpose. In an attempt to improve the situation, the city has promoted a unified distribution system that relies on zero-emission vehicles and sustainable business models. Within the scope of the URBANE project, Valladolid seeks a balance between the demands of last-mile delivery operators and other users of public space. This ambition unfolds in the following objectives:
- Make Loading and Unloading (L/U) zones more efficient, with a view to achieving a more sustainable, orderly and efficient urban goods distribution;
- Promote sustainable and environmentally friendly delivery practices;
- Build a safer city for pedestrians.
To achieve such objectives, the following actions were carried out, which were further structured into three different use cases:
- Develop an analysis tool for L/U zone usage focused on decision-making based on real data;
- Demonstrate the environmental benefits associated with collaborative delivery models;
- Put on the road full electric vehicles adapted for the delivery of small goods;
- Implement a Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Detection system in delivery vehicles.
While the development of the actions described above has provided a tale of transformation in urban logistics, the objectives were not achieved without difficulties. Due to the potential impact that recording public space has on the privacy of citizens, the development of the analysis tool for L/U zones was frustrated by bureaucracy. To cope with the requirements, the tool was programmed to mask all sensitive information to prevent misuse. In this way, the tool could be put into service, providing useful information on usage patterns and the profile of vehicles using the reserved parking zones in the city centre.
On the other hand, the reluctance of some logistics operators to switch to electric vehicles made it difficult to find a company willing to cooperate. In addition, the limited load capacity of the vehicles impeded many companies that prioritised size over maneuverability. In an attempt to advance its goal of being a green company, the LL reached an agreement with the national postal service (CORREOS) so that the postman in charge of the Boecillo Technology Park uses the I-FEVS’ vehicles (zero emission vehicles, partially powered by photovoltaic energy and adapted to the needs of logistics) as an alternative to a conventional combustion van. The selection of this scenario, characterised by a high distribution demand and a large number of pedestrians, also made it possible to test the operation of a VRU detection system developed in the project under real conditions.
In view of the operational performance indicators calculated, in particular the delivery cost, CORREOS continues today to use IFEVS’s vehicles to provide the distribution and delivery services of postal items around the city.
As regards the use of a system to control L/U zones, the data collected so far show an inefficient use of certain zones. In an attempt to resolve it, Valladolid is committed to integrating the information collected into an application (DUMinVAL, still under development) to thus improve traffic flow and move towards climate neutrality and the desired balance.
To close, the implementation of a pilot test exploring the economic and environmental benefits of the in-trunk delivery model has prompted Valladolid to rethink its approach to park & ride car parks. Partly motivated by the calculated indicators, the Valladolid City Council is now in the process of promoting this delivery model. Specifically, one of the measures under discussion is to offer free parking at these facilities to those who make use of this delivery service, as well as to reserve several specific parking spaces for users.
The result of these actions, already framed outside the project, demonstrate a change in the urban goods distribution in Valladolid, which impacts on the environment and has consequences that affect sustainability. But they are also signs of a change in the mentalities of government and logistics operators who increasingly prefer transport models that are committed to the environment. Within this framework, URBANE has helped Valladolid to move towards climate neutrality by seeking balance between passenger and freight transport, supporting disruptive technological innovations.
For further details on Valladolid and the work carried out within URBANE, click here.