Efforts to reduce the negative external effects of urban logistics often focus on two main aspects: organizing logistics more efficiently to reduce the number of incoming vehicles in urban areas, and lowering vehicle emissions within cities. However, even if vehicles enter the city emission-free and efficiently (fully loaded), they still impact public space.
There is relatively little attention paid to the act of stopping vehicles within cities and the potential nuisance this causes. To truly reduce disruption, more focus is needed on where vehicles (can) stop and how long they remain there. This is also important for businesses, as finding a suitable spot more quickly and reducing stop duration can help avoid delays. The urgency of this issue is increasing due to the expected growth and densification of cities in the coming years (see also the Outlook stadslogistiek 2035).
Research within the CILOLAB project emphasizes the stopping behavior of vehicles delivering parcels and fresh goods, and its impact on urban space. The study explores how time and space are used for stopping in cities, how drivers experience this, what interventions could reduce disruption, and what an ideal situation might look like for both businesses and governments.
For this research, a survey was conducted among drivers delivering parcels and groceries (n=80). In addition, seven interviews were held with experts and policymakers to assess the potential of various interventions. Besides providing physical unloading zones, the study specifically examined the flexible and dynamic use of space (e.g., temporary unloading areas), the digitalization of loading zones (e.g., through reservation systems), and enforcement.
The figure below shows how satisfied drivers currently are with finding a suitable parking or unloading spot.
Satisfaction with the current situation for finding a suitable parking/unloading spot.
The challenges most frequently experienced by drivers (multiple responses possible) include the lack of a suitable spot, followed by a lack of understanding from other road users and time loss
Challenges experienced by drivers (multiple answers possible)
In many locations—particularly for short stops such as parcel deliveries—drivers often use space pragmatically, even if it is not formally permitted. This includes double parking, parking on sidewalks, or using (paid) parking spots.
When it comes to potential stopping locations, the figure below shows that designated loading zones are preferred, followed by general parking spaces. However, the latter are often occupied by private vehicles or other service providers (e.g., construction companies). Moreover, it is not feasible to create dedicated loading zones everywhere, especially not for parcel deliveries, which have an extremely high stop density.
Preference for interventions (multiple answers possible)
There is no single intervention that works for:
- every type of service provider,
- in every area, and
- at all times.
Space for logistics (i.e., stopping) receives little attention in spatial planning, partly because there is often simply not enough space in the current urban context. As one interviewee put it:
“It is very obvious we need to allocate more [urban] space for freight delivery and then everyone would be better off, [but] the difficulty is that everybody is better off but not everybody is better off all the time.”
Regarding dynamic use of space, one participant noted:
“If properly integrated, then logistics may run smoothly and safely, but then only for the time being of the operations. After that, the space is given back to the people.”
Although digitalization holds promise, its practical applicability remains a topic of debate. Drivers tend to prefer more physical space and longer stopping opportunities over technological solutions.
The study concludes that urban planners need to pay more attention to this issue, and that a mix of low-tech and high-tech interventions is necessary to reduce negative impacts and make urban logistics future-proof.
Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd door Samuel Barendregt in het kader van zijn afstudeeronderzoek aan de Radboud Universiteit. Samuel is momenteel werkzaam bij het Smart Freight Centre.
Thesis: Barendregt, S. (2023). Curbing City Logistics. A Study of the Interactions Between Urban Logistics and Spatial Planning. Radboud University
Article: Kin, B., Quak, H., & Barendregt, S. (2024). Curbing urban logistics-the interactions between urban logistics and spatial planning. In Bijdragen Vervoerslogistieke Werkdagen 2024 (VLW) (pp. 43-56). Vervoerslogistieke werkdagen (VLW).