On July 2nd and 3rd, ITL took part in the Shift2Zero workshop organized by Gruber Logistics in Bologna.
On the first day, logistics operators, public authorities, researchers, and technical providers came together to understand user needs and collaboratively work on solutions for emission-free freight transport in urban areas. In particular, participants highlighted the following priorities:
- targeted analysis of different logistics workflows and their features
- greater clarity and consistency in regulations across different areas and operational timeframes
- adapting vehicle designs to the space restrictions of urban spaces
- adapting infrastructure to operational planning and sustainability targets
- a higher availability of safe loading/unloading areas and safer and more secure transshipment areas
ITL and the Municipality of Bologna illustrated the future scenario of urban logistics in the city of Bologna, also sharing the experience of the URBANE project — a concrete measure implemented from Bologna’s Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP).
Afterwards, in addition to visiting Gruber’s operations center and warehouse, hearing drivers’ perspectives allowed participants to better understand current obstacles to a more efficient delivery process, which include:
- lack of parking space and other vehicles parking in loading/unloading areas
- time constraints due to LTZs access restrictions
- lack of ergonomic features in some vehicles
- safety concerns due to traffic and limited visibility
On the second day, participants visited URBANE microhubs in the city centre and then walked through Bologna to explore the complexities of urban freight delivery by observing them first-hand. Thanks to its interactive nature, the meeting provided a particularly effective opportunity to delve into the main operational constraints of urban logistics and tailor the design of eLCVs to meet the requirements of fleet operators.
For more information and updates on Shift2Zero, visit the project website.
