SENATOR

The main objective of SENATOR is to provide 4 management schemes for urban planning policies: User Demand Planning, Transportation Planning, Freight and Logistics Planning and an Urban Infrastructure Approach.

CHALLENGE

The European Union is facing the need for sustainable urban development, due to the expected demographic evolution of cities. Currently, approximately 75% of the total EU population lives in urban areas and this is expected to reach 80% by 2020 and continue to grow by 2030. In addition, “last mile” deliveries account for an overall cost of up to €70 billion, and urban transport is responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions. On top of this, traffic flow is inefficient because of congestion and an exponentially increasing demand. Therefore, the shift in consumer trends, towards shared and connected services, e-commerce and improved environmental conditions in cities require new approaches to improve this part of the value chain.

SOLUTION

SENATOR seeks to create a new urban logistics model, focused on the four urban layers (end-receiver, transport modes, freight logistics and urban infrastructure). To this end, it will develop a smart grid operator as a control tower supported by an ICT platform for integrated logistics operation. This will allow the optimisation of delivery services of goods in urban areas, leading to i) reducing the number and distance of delivery routes through real-time information, predictions and improved planning based on Artificial Intelligence; ii) connecting goods delivery services and collection points; iii) integrating all goods delivery requirements into urban planning.

RESULTS

The project will develop effective strategies, measures and tools to achieve zero emission urban logistics. In addition, it will promote both new practices and solutions, tested and proven to improve cooperation among suppliers, carriers and city and regional policy makers (planners) and provide input for the preparation and implementation of sustainable urban logistics plans (SULP).