Newsletter No.4

Contents
1. City distribution and e-logistics ---Recent research in the Netherlands

City distribution and e-logistics ---Recent research in the Netherlands

Bart Kuipers, TNO Inro, The Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Especially the ‘urban core area’ of the Netherlands, called ‘the Randstad’?which includes the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht?has all the characteristics and problems of large metropoles?of which traffic congestion is one of the most common problems. For the year 2005 this congestion will increase even further because of strong expected growth for both passenger and goods transport by road. Road transport of persons will increase in the coming five years by 10 percent, goods transport by a stunning 21 percent. But in a recently published research document by TLN, an association of Dutch transport companies, it is expected that this impressive growth figure will be even significantly higher because of the effects of e-commerce on traffic intensity. TLN estimates that business to consumer e-commerce will result in an extra growth of road trips by 8 percent and business to business by 9 percent. The autonomous growth of road transport in the Netherlands by 21 percent therefore will be complemented by a 17 percent extra growth because of the ‘New Economy’?resulting in a total growth of 38 percent of road transport in the Netherlands expected for 2005. A large portion of this extra traffic will be in the already congested urban areas of the Randstad. Does this mean that the urban concentrations in the Randstad will become no-go areas both for business and people because of the negative effects of this New economy-related congestion?

In two other research projects the effects of e-logistics and the new economy on transport flows of goods in the Netherlands have been further investigated.

First Runhaar and Kuipers made an assesment of the logistical structures of traditional and ‘e-supply chains’. They found that e-distribution generates more traffic than traditional distribution. However, the expected development of new logistical concepts and methods for consolidation willl increase logistical efficiency and hence reduce traffic flows. They concluded that the traffic growth expectations of TLN are probably too pessimistic (or optimistic as seen from the point of view of the transportation industry). The current ways of distributing goods by European and regional distribution centres, combined with wholesale and retail-channels also offers many logistical inefficiencies. Next: new e-logistics third parties will develop, specialised in the distribution by internet. These new parties will be able to realise much more economies of scale in focussed logistical operations as compared to current hybrid operations. In addition to these new parties, Runhaar and Kuipers expect the rise of city-distribution centres related to e-distribution. Finally: new, much more flexible distribution solutions will appear, whereby the small truck will be replaced by the e-scooter, the e-delivery bicycle or by e-electrical vehicles reducing negative externalities for distribution. Furthermore, Runhaar and Kuipers conclude that innovative and new flexible distribution concepts using bicycles or scooters are absolutely necessary because of shortage of labour available in the Netherlands?people without a driving license also must be able to operate a distribution vehicle.

The second research is devoted to the design of a environmentally friendly e-distribution vehicle and is in a way a answer the to need for flexible distribution solutions, as formulated by Kuipers & Runhaar. Roeland developed, while working for the Amsterdam based company Springtime Industrial Design, such a vehicle. His research started with an analysis of urban trends, combined with societal, economic and logistical trends. One important issue in his research is the interplay between urban morphology and the different characteristics of the urban fabric, related to wealth, attitude, age et cetera. A high rise building occupied by the urban poor has a quite different demand for e-commerce and e-distribution than fashionable inner city districts occupied by wealthy and young urban professionals. In addition, Roeland designed an urban transport scenario for e-distribution called ‘Urban-Cargo-Web’. The basis of this urban transport scenario is a ‘virtual courier service’. By using internet applications a pool of virtual couriers will be used for the e-distribution. The most important part of his research however is the product-design: an environmentally friendly e-distribution vehicle. Roeland developed a scooter (see illustration) with a large box in front for the final delivery of goods?for instance groceries. This box can be adapted to the needs of the distribution by installing a refrigerated unit. The vehicle will be powered by a fuel cell and has on on-line connection to the internet. With an alternative power source and when adapted by important e-distribution related parties like e-tailers, e-logistic service providers and vehicle producers, this vehicle can be driving through the streets of Dutch inner cities within one or two years.

Urban Transport Solution

Source: Springtime Industrial design

References

TLN (Transport & Logistiek Nederland), Nieuwe wijn in oude zakken, Zoetermeer, TLN, 2000

H. Runhaar & B. Kuipers, ‘E-distributie. De aanleiding voor de volgende logistieke revolutie?’ In: Tijdschrift voor vervoerswetenschap, oktober 2000, jrg.36, nr.3, pp.41-47.

Peter Roeland: Urban Transport Solution, Amsterdam: Springtime Industrial Design, 2000.

For more information:

TLN
e-mail: info@tln.nl
web: http://www.tln.nl/

Delft University of Technology
Hens Runhaar
e-mail: hensr@tbm.tudelft.nl
web: http://www.tbm.tudelft.nl/

Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO
Bart Kuipers
e-mail: bku@inro.tno.nl
web: http://www.inro.tno.nl/

Springtime Industrial Design
Marcel Schreuder
e-mail: info@springtime.nl
web: http://www.springtime.nl/