At the regional Logistics & Freight Forum this week the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), Edinburgh Napier University & ZEDIFY launched an e-cargo bike pilot for Edinburgh as part of an EU funded project that aims to research and develop sustainable urban logistic hubs, SURFLOGH.
Modern issues like increased online consumerism, with a 24-hour delivery promise, mean our cities are becoming more and more congested. Light Goods Vehicle (LGVs) are a significant contributor to congestion and emissions today in our cities. These crucial services are creating multiple, negative impacts on the liveability of our cities.
Whose problem is this and how can we take steps to solve some of the complex issues involved in current developments regarding freight and logistics? As an international collaboration, SURFLOGH aims to green ‘last mile/first mile’ delivery, developing cargo hubs that are really ‘smart’, efficient and sustainable. The project is a collaborative transnational partnership focused on shared and exchanged information from different perspectives, backgrounds and nationalities.
Chair of the SEStran Logistics & Freight Forum Cllr Colin Davidson (Fife Council) commented: “At SEStran we believe it is extremely important to promote innovative approaches to sustainable logistics, the SURFLOGH project allows us to do this. It is great to see projects like the e-cargo bike pilot being discussed in the same forum as the Malcolm Group’s ‘48 for 48’ approach to Rail and Road freight integration.”
SEStran is working with Edinburgh Napier University, Dr Jonathan Cowie from their Transport Research Institute comments “Through collaboration with operators like ZEDIFY we have the opportunity to carry out meaningful action research and thereby explore different commercial approaches to logistics in a crowded urban environment like Edinburgh. This should provide valuable insights into future approaches to sustainable city logistics.”
Charlie Mulholland, ZEDIFY Scotland says “71% of millennials expect the brands they buy to be environmentally friendly and ethical; we’re a highly visible illustration of that commitment. Working on projects like SURFLOGH help Zedify deliver on its mission to make cities more liveable, happier and healthier environments.”
Left to Right: Cllr Colin Davidson, Charlie Mulholland, Dr Jonathan Cowie, Peter Jackson, MJ Sommerville, Keith Fisken
