Logistop organised Logistalks: Distribution in the city centre: challenges and innovative strategies.
Within the framework of the Urban Logistics working group, Logistop organised the online event Logistalks Distribution in the city centre: challenges and innovative strategies, with the aim of analysing the trends that are shaping the future of urban distribution towards more sustainable and efficient models. Moderated by Carolina Ciprés, Research Director at Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC), the event brought together leading industry experts, who discussed the main challenges and opportunities in the last mile and how innovation, technology, awareness and collaboration are key to redefining logistics in cities.
Challenges for urban distribution: innovation, data and collaboration
Adrià Soriano, manager of Mobility, Logistics and Digital Transformation at ITENE, cbegan the panel by pointing out three fundamental lines of action in urban logistics: technology, awareness and public-private collaboration. For Soriano, technology has the potential to transform urban distribution, but it is essential that truly useful solutions that optimise efficiency and reduce environmental impact are implemented. He also stressed the importance of raising public awareness of the benefits of a more sustainable and efficient distribution model, and emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Ricardo Herranz, CEO of Nommon Solutions and Technologies, added that one of the biggest challenges in freight logistics is the existing fragmentation of data. Unlike the passenger mobility sector, where information tends to be centralised, the freight sector is characterised by a fragmentation of data that makes it difficult to obtain a holistic view. Herranz stressed the importance of advancing in technologies that enable data fusion and in regulatory solutions that facilitate the sharing of information in a secure and efficient way.
Por su parte, Javier Carvajal Naranjo, head of the Mobility Planning Department at Ayuntamiento de Madrid, explained that one of the main objectives of the administration is to regulate and design strategies for efficient urban logistics. He explained how, under the Madrid 360 strategy, the capital is promoting the creation of mobility hubs and new loading and unloading zones, among other initiatives, to improve the use of public space, which is so limited in the city centre.
Current barriers
The speakers also discussed the barriers that hinder the shift towards a more sustainable urban distribution model. Herranz mentioned that, in many cases, there are technical, economic and cultural barriers. Reluctance to share data is a significant obstacle to having a complete picture of freight mobility in the city, which hinders the development of integrated and effective strategies. Furthermore, he emphasised the need to design governance tools that facilitate collaboration without compromising the confidentiality and competitiveness of operators.
From the management perspective, Carvajal pointed out that one of the challenges is to balance the various interests that converge in public space. As cities demand more space for pedestrians and leisure activities, managing space for freight transport becomes more complex. Carvajal stressed the importance of basing decisions on accurate data and analysis, which will allow for the creation of solutions tailored to different areas of the city.
Soriano, for his part, recalled that the last mile is a particularly complex sector, where time and speed of deliveries generate great pressures. Technology is a facilitating factor, but according to Soriano, the transformation of the logistics model also depends on greater consumer awareness of the economic and environmental costs of ultra-fast deliveries. He stressed the need for a communication campaign and the need to make the associated costs visible in order to promote a more sustainable logistics model.
Looking to the future
In terms of emerging technologies with the potential to transform the industry, speakers highlighted artificial intelligence, data analytics and autonomous delivery. Soriano expressed optimism for autonomous delivery solutions in areas where this type of technology can have a positive impact. In addition, he spoke of a model shift towards self-driving systems, which could reduce the environmental impacts associated with the last mile, although they require greater user willingness.
Herranz complemented this vision by indicating that, as demand characterisation improves through data and planning technologies, new opportunities will arise to integrate urban distribution with collective transport and micro-mobility, optimising resources for the benefit of all actors involved.
From the administration, Carvajal stressed the importance of making the use of public space more flexible and developing technologies that allow for proactive management adapted to the dynamic needs of the city.
Public-private partnerships and success stories as a driver for change
Participants agreed that public-private collaboration is essential to move towards a more sustainable urban distribution. The need to foster collaboration between different private actors was also highlighted.
The importance of promoting a proactive culture among companies, encouraging them to formulate proposals that respond both to the needs of the sector and to the sustainability objectives of cities, was also stressed.
Finally, Ciprés pointed out that the visibility of success stories is crucial to inspire and motivate other actors to implement changes. Positive experiences and tangible benefits of new solutions can encourage the sector to collaborate and move towards a sustainable urban logistics model, adapted to the current demands of society.
Through the smart use of technology, public-private collaboration and engagement with the environment, inner-city distribution is projected towards a model where current challenges become opportunities for transformation.
For more information on the event, please contact Iris Amado, Communications and Marketing at Logistop, at iris.amado@logistop.org.
About Logistop
At Logistop we transform the supply chain through innovation, helping industry and companies to become more efficient and sustainable.
We are a multidisciplinary and inter-territorial working space in the logistics innovation arena formed by all the actors involved in the supply chain, as well as universities, technology centres, associations and specialised consultancy firms.
One of Logistop’s main objectives is:
- To promote the need for innovation among companies involved in the logistics sector;
- To promote innovation projects;
- To communicate the real needs of the sector at an institutional level.