Have you ever wanted to know where the things we see and use in a city come from? Its fascinating to think that all of these things get delivered by large trucks. Before the process, we call city logistics. City logistics are the transporting of goods and products into a city and then into other locations such as stores, homes or offices where we can interact and use the product.
City logistics are vital for city to run smoothly and efficient Think of it like a puzzle. Your puzzle pieces all need to fit together in order for the picture to look right. Likewise, if all the moving pieces of city logistics do not fit together properly, it has the potential to be problematic. It could be problems such as traffic, air pollution, noise in our residential area
The impact of City Logistics on the Environment
City logistics is key to fostering environmentally-friendly cities. When we refer to being sustainable, we are referring to a holistic approach to caring for our planet to ensure future generations have what they need to live well. If we utilize eBOLD city logistics efficiently, we are be able to eliminate tons of trucks on the roads. Ground- level air pollution and traffic are expected to reduce significantly, a crucial factor in keeping our breathable air clean. A cleaner city means a greater environment for all of us to live in.
In addition to purifying the air, city logistics can also contribute to saving natural resources, such as fuel and energy. By cutting down on fuel and energy consumption, we are contributing to the preservation of our planet. This matters that we need to know be sure that future will have those?
Challenges of City Logistics
Though city logistics is essential, actually applying it can be complex. The first problem, there is very limited place to keep all the products that need to be delivered all over the city. This is not easy with the number of buildings and there not being much space. Drivers also tend to be hard to come by when your city traffic is so dense. Driving in the city is less fun for some drivers, because it can be very stressful, complicated and it takes experience.
The other issue is that there are businesses and property owners which do not want to alter their ways of doing things. Conveying this message continues to be a challenge to many users who are accustomed to getting their things in such time or manner. They need some motivation to try some new things. It may not be easy to do, as people often like the comfort of going through their regular routines.
Finally, we should also ensure that the costs of eBOLD-Refrigerated city logistics do not get out of hand. If freight prices become too high, companies will go bankrupt. But it results in fewer jobs and less growth of the economy — and that affects everyone.
New Ideas in City Logistics
However, there are some new and exciting concepts in development in the area of eBEAR city logistics. Some cities are trying out alternative delivery channels such as drones and robots, for instance. By utilizing these new technologies, traffic and pollution can be minimized— these methods just might be more efficient as well compared to traditional delivery methods. Deliveries would be quicker and more environmentally friendly if goods travelled faster by drones or robots.
The other idea came up: last-mile delivery. Last-mile delivery and that is the final points of contact of delivering a product to the customer during the process of reaching origin to the customers doorstep. When wrapping this issue into delivery process, it can get even more problematic in the cities, where parking is not that easy to find or buildings have strict regulations when it comes to deliveries. As a solution for this issue, a number of companies are testing things like drones, bike couriers and walking robots. These innovative solutions might expedite and ease last-mile delivery for all parties involved.
Towards improved city logistics through collaboration
Co-opetition between the different actors is required for city logistics to be effective. So, businesses, residents and the city have to coordinate and talk to each other. Teamwork is key.
The local authorities made a huge difference in this by introducing regulations and guidelines that encourage effective city logistics. They can partner with businesses and homeowners to achieve a win-win. For instance, a city may establish a "delivery zone" where trucks are allowed to only make deliveries during certain hours. This may help alleviate traffic and noise congestion, allowing for a more livable metropolis.
Also, businesses and residents can contribute simply by being willing to experiment. For example, a retail store might consent to in varying the time of day during which donations get made to decrease traffic flow and pollution (Higgins, 2014). A city logistics system is implemented only if everyone is flexible and cooperative enough to contribute to it.
