The European Commission-funded Smartfusion project on smart urban freight deliveries final event in Berlin showcased how urban policymakers and operators can now analyse the likely success and benefits of applying green vehicle technologies to their city regions and supply chains.
Results of the Smartfusion project were unveiled to an expert audience of city and regional authorities, logistics operators, fleet managers, industry representatives and academics today. The project showcased novel transport innovations to effectively improve the efficiency as well as social and environmental sustainability of urban freight in last mile operations and related urban and inter-urban shipment processes.
The results included the Smart Urban Freight Designer Tool as well as best practices from the partner cities and regions. From its demonstration cities (Berlin, Newcastle and Como) Smartfusion determined the critical success factors in stimulating the market uptake of new sustainable vehicle technology.
In addition, different stakeholders presented their state-of-the-art solutions to urban freight challenges in European cities. Urban policymakers and operators will now be equipped to analyse the likely success and benefits of applying green vehicle technologies to their city regions and supply chains, and leverage proven best practices.
Head of IRU Projects, Zeljko Jeftic said, “Transport operators are an essential partner for further improving urban freight deliveries. The useful practical tools developed through this project will be instrumental to ensure uptake and the successful implementation of tried and tested innovative solutions.”
The Smartfusion project is built upon existing urban freight development strategies from the three trial city regions. The City of Berlin demonstrated integrated technology solutions, Como in Italy showcased a remote monitoring system for fully-electric vehicles, and Newcastle upon Tyne examined collaborative approaches for urban and interurban shipments using electric trucks.
Original source: IRU
