DPD and GLS are testing the use of micro-depots and cargo bikes in the city centre and a residential district of Nuremberg in southern Germany as an alternative solution for last-mile delivery in city logistics.
The pilot project for sustainable city logistics based on the micro-depot concept is taking place from February 2016 until July 2017 and is supported by Bavaria's Interior Ministry, the Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce for Central Franconia, and the City of Nuremberg.
DPD said the aim of the project’s main sponsor, the Building Department of Bavaria's Ministry of the Interior, Construction and Transport, is to “reduce transport emissions by developing innovative and ecologically sustainable solutions for the last mile”.
In two geographically separated field trials, parcels for retailers and consumers will be deposited in centrally located containers, vehicles or buildings. From there, parcel couriers will use emission-free alternatives such as cargo bikes or hand trucks. This efficiently reduces the impact of traffic on busy inner-city areas.
Gerd Seber, Group Manager Sustainability & Innovation at DPD, said: “Intelligent city logistics is essential to continue supplying inner-city retailers with goods and linking the urban population with online trade worldwide. In this respect, delivery concepts based on micro-depots can be a highly effective response to the challenges arising from the growing inner-city traffic.” At DPD, 'intelligent city logistics' is one of the four pillars of DPDgroup's DrivingChange sustainability strategy which was presented in February this year.
Dr. Michael Fraas, Nuremberg's Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, that innovative city logistics concepts are an important precondition for sustainable retail operations in the city centre. “In times of changing consumer habits and the challenges posed by the growth in online retail, bricks-and-mortar retailers need to have the opportunity to supply their customers with goods conveniently and rapidly. CEP operators play a key role in this respect. Our pilot project is an important future component for retail operations in the city centre and thus for the vitality of inner cities.”
Based on detailed analysis of the current field trial, the micro-depots are due to tested in daily operations in Nuremberg, which is considered the ideal location for the project, from summer onwards. The preliminary planning of the project was carried out by the German Parcel & Express Logistics association (BIEK).
