URBANE (Upscaling Innovative Green Urban Logistics Solutions Through Multi-actor Collaboration and PI-inspired Last Mile Deliveries)

Europe urgently needs identification and rapid upscaling of innovative solutions in last mile transport, as the e- commerce sector has been through a period of continuous economic growth – a trend strongly reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Forbes reported that e-commerce recorded 129% of annual sales growth and 146% growth in terms of the number of orders1. A study by the World Economic Forum (WEF)2 noted that the demand for last mile deliveries in urban areas will rise by 78% by 2030, resulting in a 36% increase in delivery vehicles within inner- city limits. The massive wave of changes in e-commerce poses immense logistics challenges. E-retailers tend to offer more variety of products (heavy tailed product portfolio) and e-orders tend to be smaller and more customised, contributing to operational complexity and higher logistics cost. The short delivery lead time (responsiveness) requires a physical availability of inventory near delivery locations, fast pick-up and an immediate transportation.

URBANE will support the transition path towards effective, resilient, safe and sustainable last mile transport, through four Lighthouse Living Labs in Helsinki, Bologna, Valladolid and Thessaloniki, that will demonstrate TRL8 efficient, replicable and socially acceptable innovative last mile delivery solutions [Wave 1 LLs], building on existing TRL>5 assets. Hands-on lesson learning at European level will be primarily facilitated by the URBANE Innovation Transferability Platform comprising Digital Twinning Tools, open models, smart contracts governed by blockchain technology and a data-driven Impact Assessment Radar that will enable the adaptation and replication of Wave 1 solutions in two Twinning LLs in Barcelona and Karlsruhe [Wave 2 LLs], demonstrating their own solutions within the course of the project. URBANE’s commitment to upscaling is further strengthened by the engagement of six early adopters (Follower Cities) in innovations’ adoption feasibility studies, thusstimulating the formulation of new LL communities across Europe.

A project key building block will be the development of an open Digital Twin (DT) infrastructure for urban logistics, advancing the LEAD project DT platform9, enabling city and industry actors to take decisions on the preferable delivery solutions to be implemented. The approach employs social simulation tools to experiment with possible strategies and business models, aiming at boosting end-user adoption and increase investors’ confidence.