Press Releases
Bonn
16.June 2005
European project promotes new modes of delivery in city centers
DHL tests alternative transport concepts
Companies from the logistics and automotive industries have joined forces with cities and researchers in the European Project, FIDEUS (Freight Intelligent Delivery of Goods on European Urban Spaces). The project, which is to last for three years, aims to handle distribution and delivery traffic in European city centers more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.
This is possible through the concerted linkage of new vehicular technologies with innovative approaches in logistics and traffic management. Under FIDEUS, three new types of vehicles are being developed and tested: an innovative electric freight transporter for sensitive areas such as pedestrian zones, an enhanced 3.5-ton transporter and a 12-ton truck, optimized for city traffic. All three vehicle types are equipped with state-of-the-art drive, loading and communication technology. Communication technology plays an important role in traffic management, in that it enables improved interactive communication with municipal traffic directing centers. As an example of this, trucks would be able to register to use specific loading zones or react in a timely manner to a sudden disruption of access.
It is expected that FIDEUS' improved logistics, transshipment and transport processes will substantially contribute to the reduction of emissions and traffic pollution in cities. This is the only way, in the face of new environmental regulations, that one can assure over the long run that supplies will reach companies, stores and citizens in heavily populated urban areas. The project will be tested in Hanover, Barcelona, and Lyon.
The Pan-European project consortium includes vehicle manufacturers (Centro Ricerche FIAT, IVECO, Renault Trucks), robotics and fleet management specialists (Cybernetix; MIZAR Automazione),logistics companies (DHL Express; TNT Innight), local governments and supra-regional city alliances (Barcelona, Hannover, Lyon; IMPACTS) as well as universities and research institutes (University of Westminster; Fraunhofer Institut).
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This is possible through the concerted linkage of new vehicular technologies with innovative approaches in logistics and traffic management. Under FIDEUS, three new types of vehicles are being developed and tested: an innovative electric freight transporter for sensitive areas such as pedestrian zones, an enhanced 3.5-ton transporter and a 12-ton truck, optimized for city traffic. All three vehicle types are equipped with state-of-the-art drive, loading and communication technology. Communication technology plays an important role in traffic management, in that it enables improved interactive communication with municipal traffic directing centers. As an example of this, trucks would be able to register to use specific loading zones or react in a timely manner to a sudden disruption of access.
It is expected that FIDEUS' improved logistics, transshipment and transport processes will substantially contribute to the reduction of emissions and traffic pollution in cities. This is the only way, in the face of new environmental regulations, that one can assure over the long run that supplies will reach companies, stores and citizens in heavily populated urban areas. The project will be tested in Hanover, Barcelona, and Lyon.
The Pan-European project consortium includes vehicle manufacturers (Centro Ricerche FIAT, IVECO, Renault Trucks), robotics and fleet management specialists (Cybernetix; MIZAR Automazione),logistics companies (DHL Express; TNT Innight), local governments and supra-regional city alliances (Barcelona, Hannover, Lyon; IMPACTS) as well as universities and research institutes (University of Westminster; Fraunhofer Institut).
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