IMPROVING THE LAST MILE 

Panel debate: How to balance customers’ demand for 24/7 deliveries with minimal impact on urban realm

Chair: Laura Shoaf, Managing Director, Transport for West Midlands

Panelists: Tim Ward, Freight and Fleet Engagement Manager; Tfl, Frank van Os, Co-founder, Smart Mile Solutions;

Sam Clarke, Director, Gnewt Cargo; Richard Walters, Principal Consultant, LCP Consulting

On track: Road/rail transfer terminals/consolidation centres either on the edge or within cities can be used to tranship goods from rail into low emissions road vehicles or onto construction sites. 

Speaker: Phillippa Edmunds, Manager, Freight on Rail, Campaign for Better Transport

Waterworld: Is better use of the UK’s inland waterways a viable way to address delivery of goods into city centres? If so, what will encourage this modal shift?

Speaker: Alex Veitch, Head of Global Policy, Freight Transport Association

In the saddle: Hear from two successful cycle logistics firms about the benefits to local businesses of switching from vans to cargo bikes, as well as the potential to incorporate a zero-emission last-mile leg on national operations.

Speakers: Steve Young, Director, Cycle4U and  Rob King, Director, Outspoken Delivery

Q&A

Rise of the van: The RAC Foundation will present brand-new research investigating whether the surge in van traffic is the result of the online-shopping boom, and whether e-commerce is adding to congestion or actually reducing it as people do their buying from the comfort of their sofas rather than driving to the store?

Speaker: Steve Gooding, Director, RAC Foundation

Shared access parcel terminal:  Dutch firm Smart Mile Solutions has developed a last-mile delivery system for cities that reduces home deliveries, puts consumers in control over receiving their online purchases, and stimulates trade for local businesses. 

Speaker: Frank van Os, Co-founder, Smart Mile Solutions 

Intelligent mobility: The way data is used and shared in the future is crucial to driving efficiency right through the supply chain to the final mile of freight deliveries. New market opportunities await for those urban operators able to  embrace new technology and not be afraid to adapt their business models to fit future city mobility requirements.

Speaker: Andrew Traill, Principal Technologist – Freight and Logistics, Information Exploitation  Business Unit, Transport Systems Catapult

Shared knowledge: Transport for London has successfully researched and implemented a number of tried and tested urban logistics programmes that can be easily adapted for a consistent approach across other UK cities.

Cool down: Carrier Transicold will examine the emerging trends and legislative changes related to the urban distribution of perishable produce and how transport refrigeration system manufacturers are developing solutions to specifically meet these challenges.

Speaker: Scott Dargan, MD, Northern Europe & Service EMEAR Carrier Transicold, UK

International approach: Explore some of the successful urban logistics models in place across cities in Europe and discover how these might be adopted in your city.

Speaker: Laetitia Dablanc, DIrector of Research at the French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development and Networks (IFSTTAR, University of Paris-Est)

Sustainable strategy: Learn from a major, global parcel carrier about non-traditional deliveries taking place across Europe to ensure packages are delivered to city businesses and residents while helping to reduce both congestion and emissions.

Speaker: Peter Harris, Director of Sustainability for Europe, UPS

Viable consolidation: Created in 2014, the Southampton Sustainable Distribution Centre has been successful in reducing last-mile vehicle movements for public sector organisations, generating both emissions and cost savings.

Speaker: Gary Whittle, Commercial Director, Meachers Global Logistics

Rethinking tradition: Geodis examines the future challenges of improving the quality of urban life whilst maintaining delivery flows in a busy city centre. How can roads be better shared and used by everyone?  And will the freight sector be able to combine last-mile delivery flows for a cleaner and greener future?

Speaker: Kevin Huskie, Sales Director, Geodis

Q&A 

Best practice in sustainable, last-mile deliveries

International approach: Explore some of the successful urban logistics models in place across cities in Europe and learn how these might work in your city.

Confirmed Speaker: Laititia DeBlanc, director of research at the French Institute of Science and Technology for Transport, Development and Networks (IFSTTAR, University of Paris-Est)

Viable consolidation: Now two years in operation, the Southampton Sustainable Distribution Centre has been highly successful in reducing last-mile vehicle movements for public sector organisations across the area, generating both emissions and cost savings.

Confirmed speaker: Gary Whittle, commercial director, Meachers Global Logistics

Sustainable strategy: Learn from a major, global parcel carrier about non-traditional deliveries taking place across Europe to ensure packages are delivered to city businesses and residents while helping to reduce both congestion and emissions.

Confirmed speaker: Peter Harris, director of sustainability, UPS

Quiet deliveries: A leading retailer shares its expertise in working with its freight partner and local authorities to minimise noise impact to residents when delivering to urban areas outside of peak times, as well better load utilisation to eliminate unnecessary truck movements. 

Speaker: TBC

Q&A 

National overview: Why are last-mile deliveries a challenge for major UK cities, and what can be done to minimise the impact of urban freight? 

Speaker: Jonathan Bray, Director, Urban Transport Group

Regional approach: Transport for West Midlands explains the congestion challenges for a regional transport body and its focus on urban roads resilience to facilitate the movement of urban freight. 

Speaker: Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority & Coventry City Council 

City limits: Poor air quality is a major concern for cities, with government-mandated Clean Air Zones to be rolled out nationally, but what will the impact be on commercial vehicles delivering into regulated areas?  

Speaker: Sylvia Broadley, Green Fleet Change Manager, Birmingham City Council

Safety focus: Collaboration between city officials and the freight sector is crucial to ensure safe interaction between delivery vehicles and vulnerable road users. Transport for Greater Manchester shares its experience of working with industry to ensure last-mile freight movements have safety at their core.

Speaker: Helen Smith, Head of Logistics, Environment & Active Travel, Transport for Greater Manchester 

Q&A