Research projects

As a result of the dynamic development of online trade over the years, a strong increase of traffic caused by CEP services (courier, express and parcel services) can be observed in time diagnostics. This is associated with significant effects on traffic flows, which leads to major challenges for urban and traffic planning.

The City of Hamburg aims to become a model region for the sustainable and efficient handling of CEP traffic on the last mile and combines this with specific environmental policy goals. For example, urban logistics should contribute 10 % to reducing nitrogen oxide pollution. The ILS, in cooperation with Prognos AG and KE-CONSULT Kurte&Esser GbR, has been commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport and Innovation to develop a city-wide concept for handling the last mile. The concept will be completed in mid-2019.

In addition to the analysis of best practice examples, the main tasks of the ILS are the analysis of a spatial typology, the implementation of cordon surveys in several neighbourhoods, the implementation of a stakeholder analysis and the organisation of a citizens' forum:

Almost every day the media reports on a new pilot project or a vision for the delivery traffic of the future. It is not always clear whether these projects or visions can prevail themselves in practice and whether they actually have positive effects. The best practice analysis presents promising approaches and concepts from Germany and abroad.

A spatial typology serves as a basis for the assessment of different sample situations and the derivation of conceptual approaches. In connection with the last mile topic, a typology allows to summarise certain challenges and opportunities and make conclusions transferable for similarly structured neighbourhoods.

Since there is almost no data on the small-scale delivery traffic in this type of neighbourhood differentiation, it is necessary to analyse the local situation more precisely. For this purpose, primary surveys will be carried out in selected sample neighbourhoods of different urban structures, especially with regard to delivery traffic.

The development and implementation of a city-wide last mile strategy requires appropriate human and institutional resources and competencies in the administration and technical authorities of Hamburg. A stakeholder analysis helps to identify which stakeholder are currently involved in the last mile issue. In addition, it allows conclusions to be drawn as to where there is potential and need for action in terms of efficient cooperation and governance.

The main purpose of the citizens' forum is to discuss possible solutions with the citizens and to identify possible conflict potentials and acceptance of different measures.