Anciaes, P

English

UCL Discovery

Where should an urban freight microhub be located?Last-Mile Micro-freight: Sustainable Transport Solutions and Challenges in Urban LandscapesLondon, 19 June 2023Paulo AnciaesUniversity College LondonWhat do we mean by freight microhub?Facility where freight is received and then re-distributed to end receivers nearby, using low-emission vehicles (e.g., cargo cycles) AKA micro freight, micro consolidation, micro distribution, “last mile” freight distributionMicrohubs are small facilities and can operate from…© Future City Logisticsparking lots or garages© TfNSWPotential user benefits(for shippers, logistics providers, and receivers)Reduced delivery costsFaster, more reliable, more flexible deliveryMore efficient handling of returnsCustomer satisfactionEasier and faster to load/unloadFewer parking fees and finesMore efficient use of vehicles & warehousesReduced distance covered & time spentPotential wider benefits for societyEconomy Growth, employmentEnvironment Reduced motorised traffic, energy consumption, noise, local/globalemissions, visual impact of large vehiclesAccessibility ▪ More space and better access for all road users▪ Improved speed and travel time reliabilityEquity Positive effect if benefits above are in low-income areasHow about the delivery workers?Safety Conflicts with other road usersExposure to pollution and to weatherEffortWorking hoursThe user benefits of  microhubs depend on locationLOCATIONALCHARACTERISTICSAFFECTEDBENEFITS▪ Demand location▪ Demand densityDistance travelled, delivery times, anddelivery costsRoad network conditions andmanagement(road layout, congestion, competition for kerbside,access restrictions, speed limits, parking policies)Delivery times(vs. using conventional vehicles)Accessibility of workforce(public transport access to the hub, density ofworkers living within walking or cycling distance)Attraction of workers for the hubs anddeliveriesLand prices Operational costsThe wider benefits of  microhubs also depend on locationLOCATIONAL CHARACTERISTICSAFFECTEDBENEFITSCycling infrastructure ▪ Congestion and kerbside pressure reduction▪ Traffic collision risk reduction▪ Reduced conflicts with pedestrians▪ Road network characteristics▪ Current traffic level andcomposition▪ Distance travelled▪ Emissions per deliveryDemand density Energy use reductionDemographic/socio-economiccomposition of the areaEquity(who benefits from economic, social, and environmentalbenefits of the hub)The case of  LondonWhy do London need more microhubs?1) Van traffic is growingAnnual traffic volume of  Light Commercial Vehicles in London (billion vehicle miles)Department for Transport (https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/regions/6)Why do London need more microhubs?2) Freight distribution is adding to the pressures on road and kerbside spaceWhy London needs more microhubs?3) Trials/models have shown potential benefits of  these hubsBrowne et al. 2011 Electric vans andcargo cycles▪ Distance travelled: - 20%▪ Co2 emissions/parcel: - 54%Clarke and Leonardi 2017Electric vehicles ▪ Distance travelled: - 52%▪ Empty running distances: - 65%▪ Local emissions: - 81%▪ Co2 emissions: - 88%Allen et al. 2018 Pedestrianporters▪ Distance travelled: -86%▪ Delivery time: -69%McLeod 2020 Pedestrianporters and cyclecouriers▪ Distance travelled: - 78%▪ Kerbside parking time: - 45%▪ Costs: - 34-39%▪ NOx emissions: - 33%,▪ Co2 emissions: - 45%.It’s a Transport for London priorityLocational issues are one of  the key actionsObjective✓ Demand for deliveries✓ Conditions of cycling infrastructure in delivery area✓ Availability of labour✓ Wider benefits of shifting motorised to cargo cycleswithin the delivery areaIdentify the areas in London that are most suitable for the creation of  urban logistics hubsUnit of  analysisGrid of 39,861 points, 200m apart, covering Greater LondonProcessMinimum level of  demand• Population• Businesses and institutionsSuitable infrastructure and operation conditions for cargo cycles• Availability of  cycle lanes/tracks• Traffic calming• Safety for cycling• Along freight distribution routesAvailability of  labour • Characteristics of  local labour force• Public transport accessibility for workers living elsewhereCurrent environmental conditions in local area• Noise and air pollution• Sensitivity of  local population and land uses to environmental problemsAvailability of  potential sites for a freight microhub (car parks, industrial /business areas)STEP 1STEP 2STEP 3SELECTIONCHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED POINTSStep 1: Minimum level of  demandIndicator Area Data source ConditionPopulation Number of  residents1600m Population census >75th percentile (>54,836)ORBusiness and institutionsNumber of  businesses and institutions1600m Ordnance Survey points of  interest• 01 Accommodation, eating anddrinking• 02 Commercial services• 03 Attractions• 04 Sport and entertainment• 05 Education and health• 0633 Central/local government• 0635 Organisations• 09 Retail>75th percentile (>1,339)Step 1: Minimum level of  demand - Results39,861 points11,904 pointsMinimum demand conditions(population or businesses/institutions)Step 2: Suitable infrastructure and operation conditions for cargo cyclesIndicator Area Data source ConditionAvailability of  cycle lanes/tracksMetres of  cyclelanes/tracks400m Transport for London>0ANDTraffic calming Number of  structures for traffic calming400m Transport for London>median (>8)ANDSafe for cycling Number of  collisions involving cyclists in last 5 years200m Department for Transport<90th percentile (<5)ANDAlong freight distribution routesAnnual average daily flow of  goods vehicles1600m Department for Transport>median (>3,816)Step 2: Suitable infrastructure and operation conditions for cargo cycles - results11,904 points3,704 pointsSuitable infrastructureand conditionsStep 3: Availability of  labour Indicator Area Data source ConditionLocal labour Composite indicator (0-1)1600m Population census>median (>0.18)ANDPublic transport accessibilityTFL Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL)In census output areaTransport for London>=20.4 * Number of  residents workingin routine/semi-routine occupations(as % of  maximum)+ 0.4 * Number of  unemployed residents (as % of  maximum)+ 0.2 * Number of  households with no car (as % of  maximum)Local labour composite indicatorStep 3: Availability of  labour - Results3,704 points3,109 pointsAvailability of  labourEnvironmental conditionsIndicator Area Data sourceNoise Annual average roadside noise levels (7–23) (db(A))400m (mean)DEFRAAir pollution Annual average PM10 concentrations (µg/m3)400m(mean)GLA and TFLSensitivity of  local population to environmental conditionsNumber of  residents aged below 18400m Population censusNumber of  residents aged above 65400m Population censusSensitivity of  local land uses to environmental conditionsNumber of  primary schools400m Ordnance Survey points of  interest▪ 05310375 First, primary and infant schools▪ 05310377 Independent/preparatory schoolsNumber of  healthinstitutions400m Ordnance Survey points of  interest▪ 0528 Health practitioners and establishmentsEnvironmental conditions in the selected pointsSensitivity of  local population to environmental conditions in the selected pointsSensitivity of  local land uses to environmental conditions in the selected pointsCar parks OR industrial/business areas in the selected pointsNumber of  car parks or business areas/industrial estates within 200mNumber of  selected points (without applying environmental conditions) with 1+ area: 457Indicator Area Data sourceNumber of  car parks 200m Ordnance Survey points of  interestCategory: 10540736 ParkingNumber of  industrial estates and business areas200m Ordnance Survey points of  interestCategory: 07410531 Business parks and industrial estateConclusionsThe user and wider benefits of  urban microhubs based on cargo cycle delivery depend on location (demand, suitability of  cycling infrastructure, availability of  labour, effects of  shifting from conventional vehicles to cargo cycles)Considering these factors, the most suitable areas in London for the deployment of  a microhub are those surrounding central London or local centresThis research was supported byFurther informationAnciaes and Jones (2023) Developing low-carbon freight microhubs in London - Principles, benefits and locational analysis. UCL Centre for Transport Studieshttps://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10168561Sister report by Centre for LondonUrban logistics hubs: what are London’s needs?https://centreforlondon.org/publication/urban-logistics-hubs

Where should an urban freight microhub be located?

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Where should an urban freight microhub be located?

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