DISCO (Data-driven, Integrated, Syncromodal, Collaborative and Optimized urban freight meta-system for new generation of urban logistics and planning with data sharing at European Living Labs) is a Horizon Europe project that supports more efficient and flexible use of urban space towards zero emission urban logistics.
Established/launched: 2023
Building on previous projects: SENSE, ULaaDs
What kind of role of the Physical Internet in making urban logistics more sustainable?
For logistics service providers (LSP) the challenge consists of reducing the high cost of the last mile. For city or communal authorities, the challenge consist of providing an urban ecosystem that enables distribution of goods within a safe, optimised, and ecological context, according to priorities. To create such an environment, cities require smart solutions and tools. In the concept of the Physical Internet, data are the fundamental key enabler to work towards an integrated and digital urban planning. Efficient operational activities are driven by real time data to make the correct and sustainable choice, especially dealing with urban logistics. The optimally located micro consolidation hubs and drop and pick-up zones are suitable nodes in an integrated considered networks connecting to the network of networks.
How do project outcomes influence urban logistics practices including policy development?
MODULUSHCA has prepared the ground for digital transition in logistics and urban logistics projects, such as ULaaDs, translated the PI concept into innovative urban logistics solutions such as ad-hoc micro-hubs and urban consolidation centres, collaborative last mile delivery, flexible use of urban space, etc. Those projects demonstrate that the PI concept can contribute to a harmonised ecosystem enabling movement and access of people and goods. Those projects have extensive influences on current landscape of practices in urban logistics, to enable collaborative services and use of infrastructure and spaces. For example, functional needs in different areas in a city can change during the course of a day and subsequently be managed in a flexible way including the dynamic access controlling for curb side management to assign priority lanes to different vehicles / service in a dynamic way (e.g. public transport, cycling) towards a flexible use of urban space.
The PI-enabled concept has been embedded in the fundaments of the DISCO project. Whereas in the music industry the product used to be provided by a physical carrier in vinyl, magnetic tape or plastic, this transfer now happens through dematerialisation of products which is only retrieved from a data platform, sharing royalties, when there is a desire to do so, as a commodity (and no more by a traditional music company), that can be massively used by everyone, wherever they are and whatever music one would like to listen (Music as a service). The same principle will be also applied for urban logistics (e.g. Logistics as a service). Whereas in logistics goods are mostly delivered in a urban environment through smart and digital and dynamic planning, governed by high quality service-oriented co-designed solutions that meets the specific functional priorities of a city, in which the operational networks are Synchromodal and hyper-connected. This is the way to come to truly PI-led urban logistics in Functional Urban Areas. The DISCO ambition is to accompany the PI-led digital transition process in urban logistics operation and planning. The transition will enable flexibility of use of urban space for urban logistics including loading zone management, micro hubs, and urban consolidation centres to increase efficiency and improve road safety while meeting demand of residents and businesses in cities.
What are the key challenges in application of PI in the domain of use of urban space and how to address
them?
To consider the city or municipality as an integrated network, it is important for the city to clearly understand stakeholders’ needs. A harmonised ecosystem enabling movement and access of people and goods should be considered proportionate in terms of these needs. Different areas of the city serve different functions. Certain neighbourhoods will have a more residential function and will clearly require a different approach than a part of town that serves as a mobility access point, business district or residential area. It is essential to have a deep understanding of use of urban space in different areas during different time periods. Developing such understanding will create a solid foundation to implement PI in cities.