ChronoCity is a parcel-delivery service in Strasbourg that uses electric-powered handcarts for the routes through the inner-city, combining a consolidation hub with “clean” vehicle use.

The handcarts have a power reserve of 12 hours which is enough for two delivery routes, and take up similar footpath space to a motorised wheelchair. They are distributed through the city by electric courier vans and collect as well as distribute parcels.

ChronoCity is an initiative of ChronoPost express courier service and Predit, a government-funded program for research, experimentation and innovation in land transport. The pilot program was successful and analysis has shown further improvements for the service would integrate the combined use of the vans with the handcarts.

The project is interesting because it was designed for and applied to the existing situation in the city. In addition, it has shown that what would appear to be a slow way of moving things around a city has been more efficient for the service provider, produces better environmental results and also returns an increased economic yield.

A successful pilot program has led to value-added service and efficiency measures, improving a freight-delivery system that already saves around 20,00km of vehicle travel.

The urban freight consolidation centre for Bristol currently serves 51 retailers in the Broadmead shopping which is in the city centre. Initially set up for a trial period of eight months in May 2004, the consolidation scheme has helped to reduce congestion and associated emissions in one of the UK’s busiest cities. The consolidation centre streamlines and reduces the number of delivery vehicles travelling into Broadmead; at the same time it provides an improved delivery service to retailers.

Now S.T.A.R.T. are looking to develop value-added services to retailers. These include remote stock warehousing and pre-retailing, as well as reverse flows of packaging/waste for recycling/disposal to improve vehicle utilisation. In addition, there is the possibility of increasing the geographical coverage of the scheme and integrating it with new retail development.

These initiatives will support a move to a sustainable business model where contributions are made in line with the triple-bottom line benefits derived from the scheme.

Further information on the scheme can be found here

Consolidation centres and clean delivery vehicles are becoming more common in Italy. Many regions are passing laws introducing standards for the rationalisation of urban distribution of goods and the reduction of impacts on air quality.

City Porto manages the distribution of goods within Padova, Veneto. Freight is delivered to the consolidation centre which is 6 kilometres from the city and is open for deliveries 24 hours. Goods are moved into CNG delivery vehicles for “last mile” delivery to businesses in the city. Priority lanes and restricted-access areas reduce the competition for space for the City Porto vehicles.

The service reduces traffic congestion and pollution, making the city more livable. Simultaneously, load-efficiency and freight delivery flow are maximised.

A study by CERTeT (University Bocconi of Milan) found the scheme saved 384 tonnes of CO2, 163 kg of Nox and 41 kg of particulate matter over a period of 15 months. In monetary terms, the scheme will make a net profit of €756 000 for the community during its first five years of operation. (Source: BESTUFS.Net)

Further information on City Porto can be found here.