Newsletter from November 2023
InterLog: sustainable and efficient parcel deliveries
Current parcel deliveries in cities like Munich take up too much space, take too much time and are not sustainable due to their high emissions.
This raises the question of how parcels can be delivered more efficiently on the urban last mile, especially against the backdrop of increasing urban densification and the goal of CO2 neutrality.
As part of the MCube project, InterLog is investigating the extent to which concepts such as parcel stations or distribution by means of cargo bikes can play a central role here and improve the delivery of parcels.
With parcel stations, delivery is decentralized: customers pick up their parcels directly, which reduces direct trips by delivery vehicles to the front door. In the case of delivery via cargo bikes, parcels are distributed from delivery vehicles to cargo bikes in small distribution centers within the city - so-called micro-depots - and then delivered with these.
Will such options make delivery faster, more flexible and more sustainable than direct delivery with large delivery vehicles?
To answer these questions, our first step is to develop various business models for the different options. In a simulation environment, we are investigating whether, for example, parcel delivery via cargo bikes can be profitable for logistics companies or where improvements are still needed.
Based on this, we are developing a detailed and efficient algorithm to identify the optimal locations of micro-depots and the routes of the cargo bikes from these depots to the delivery point.
We also take a detailed look at the micro-depots: How should the processes here be designed? How big do the depots need to be and what layout should be used?
Finally, we are building a test micro-depot in Munich to measure the speed, flexibility and emissions of parcel delivery.
Our aim here is to show what the urban logistics of the future can and should look like: decentralized, space-saving and sustainable through the use of parcel stations and cargo bikes instead of large delivery vehicles.
A new study by MCube Consulting on behalf of Zukunft Nahverkehr (ZNV) shows: Local public transport generates three times as much revenue for the German economy as it costs.
Mobility is at the heart of Germany's economic and innovative strength, the key to climate neutrality and the core of everyday life.
Carolin Zimmer from the Chair of Settlement Structure and Transport Planning and Sebastian Preiß from the Hans Sauer Foundation explain in an interview what the project has achieved and what makes it special.
Major award for a strong team: MCube Consulting receives the Innovation Award of the City of Munich - for a solution that reduces administrative workload, improves security and shows how research enables real change.
If Munich bids for the Olympics again, it will not do so arbitrarily - but with vision, attitude and a clear plan.
MCube had its own stand at the trade fair and brought together over 100 mobility pioneers at the "Bridging City Innovation Ecosystems" event above the rooftops of Barcelona.
What does the bus of tomorrow need to look like to convince as many people as possible to change buses voluntarily?
Our experts gave keynote speeches on why we need fair, inclusive mobility that is suitable for everyday use for everyone.
The city council of Landsberg am Lech has unanimously approved the new traffic development plan (VEP).
Innovation pioneers meet in Jülich to share transfer strategies, forge alliances and shape the future.
What is MOSAIQ?
Imagine something: There is more space for people. The streets have more trees and plants. Everyone can get around better. That's how your Schwabing-West district could be in the future. How would you like your district to be? We want to talk to you about it!
The project is called MOSAIQ. MOSAIQ is a research∙project. MOSAIQ means: Mobility and urban climate in the future city∙part. The Technical University of Munich is leading the project.
What is MOSAIQ about?
MOSAIQ wants to make the streets in the city∙part more beautiful. People should feel comfortable there. There should be more space. For meetings and plants, for example. You can help decide what is tried out in the Stadt∙teil. The ideas come from you. Some ideas will be tried out on the streets for a certain period of time.
The aim of MOSAIQ is to make urban districts good places to live.
At the same time, the climate in the city should improve. And people should be able to move around the city easily.
What is happening in the district?
