Driving towards better air quality and lower emissions, cities are implementing zero-emission zones (ZEZs) for transportation, specifically targeting high-polluting commercial diesel vehicles. In the Netherlands, major cities have started adopting ZEZs at the beginning of 2025, driving the need for solutions, such as urban consolidation centers (UCCs) for last-mile deliveries. This study links an agent-based freight simulator (MASS-GT) with the TNO Digital Twin to assess the impacts of ZEZs and UCCs in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While ZEZs improve air quality and reduce fuel-based vehicle kilometers, they further cause uneven spatial effects, specifically in lower socio-economic neighborhoods located near UCCs. Additional research is needed to optimize UCC locations and minimize these disparities.
Environmental concerns and urbanization pressures are driving demand for more efficient reverse logistics in city environments, where space constraints and dense populations create unique challenges. Polyurethanes (PU), used widely in insulation, electronics, and automotive industries, are integral to circular supply chain discussions because appliances containing PU are collected at relatively low rates, and the low-density, space-intensive foam creates significant logistical challenges. This study examines the challenges of urban reverse logistics for the disposal and collection of end-of-life (EoL) refrigerators in countries with different waste management systems. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research demonstrates the complexity of urban reverse logistics for such waste streams. It is influenced by, among other things, regulations at EU and national levels, cooperation between stakeholders, consumer awareness and education, and real-time access to information on waste.
This paper shows the outcomes of applying a Living Lab approach as a method to engage students with real-world challenges. In Rotterdam, the students researched whether a consolidation hub could be a solution for the deliveries of coffee and hygiene products to their campus. Multiple characteristics of teaching and learning in sustainability-oriented Living Labs are explained for the case of Rotterdam. Students were free to make their research plans and obtained reflection, introspection and supervision on their plans by teachers. Collaborative learning with the stakeholders allowed students to apply their academic knowledge and skills with the professional people working in practice. All stakeholders were very enthusiastic about both the learning process and the study outcomes, as they want to continue by formalising contracts for setting up a pilot project for consolidation.
Urban freight movements are increasingly complex, creating challenges for understanding their dynamics. With detailed GPS data, this study assesses the movements of heavy trucks in the city of Antwerp, with particular attention to commercial zones. The results reveal that most heavy truck activities occurred in port and central urban regions. In the city center, retail establishment characteristics, such as density, size, and type, influence the frequency of truck stops. The findings provide critical insights for planning urban transport and logistics operations.
Failed deliveries in last-mile logistics contribute significantly to operational costs and customer dissatisfaction. This study examines the feasibility of integrating AI-based customer presence predictions into vehicle routing to reduce failed deliveries. The research identifies key requirements for the AI-based system through expert interviews with logistics professionals and a validation survey. Our findings indicate that, while presence-prediction-based routing holds promise, its real-world adoption faces significant hurdles, including data privacy concerns and driver compliance issues. Furthermore, cost savings projections from prior research may be overestimated, as increased routing complexity could offset efficiency gains. Still, practitioners’ most crucial requirement is for the system to be cost-efficient. This study offers a structured requirements model for successful practical implementation and highlights the need for further empirical exploration and validation. The insights contribute to bridging the gap between mathematical optimisation models and practical last-mile operations, informing logistics service providers, technology developers, online retailers, and researchers.
