DD1160 Agile Urban Logistics – Stage 1

Light freight journeys are responsible for 80% of freight miles on London’s roads. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that by 2030 this will grow by 43%. The growth in e-commerce and personal deliveries is identified as a major contributor to this rate of increase. As such, light freight vehicles are a growing contributor to congestion. Congestion extends journey times, reduces business efficiency and contributes to poor air quality and carbon emissions.

In this context, the GLA and TfL wish initially to gain a better understanding of innovative solutions for the light freight sector that allow it to adapt to changing regulatory and market conditions, mitigating congestion and emission impacts, whilst improving business efficiency and customer experience. In partnership with innovative market participants, we aim to develop, demonstrate and evaluate solutions in ‘on-the-ground’ trials in London during 2014-15, assessing their potential for wider adoption and their impacts on key economic and environmental indicators.

The GLA was awarded £3m from the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) towards a Smart Cities Demonstrator Programme (MD1247), which includes the development and delivery of the Agile Urban Logistics project. This DD seeks approval for the release of funding and the entering into a contract with an external consultant to undertake the Stage 1 of the Agile Urban Logistics project.