Representatives from the ULaaDS cities of Bremen, Groningen, Mechelen, Bergen and Alba Iulia, with colleagues from the ULaaDS Follower cities of Madrid, Turku, Baerum, and Varna had the chance to discuss urban logistics solutions over a two-days study visit in Bremen in March 2023.

The study visit kicked off with a walk in the city centre of Bremen where Michael Glotz-Richter and Karsten Hülsemann showcased some key mobility measures and features of their city. The participants then headed indoors for a series of ULaaDS-related sessions.

The afternoon programme started with a panel discussion on SUMP; SULP and the ULaaDS pilots in Bremen, where Michael Glotz-Richter and Karsten Hülsemann (Bremen), Kristian Schopka (Rytle), Dr. Thomas Nobel (to-be-now-logistics-research-gmbh), and Bonnie Fenton (ADFC) gave insights on the ULaaDS trials and the challenges mastered and unmastered related to the project’s implementation in the city.

The panel was followed by a presentation from Koen Wies (ViaVan) on Cargo-hitching. Koen explained the scope and focus of the Cargo-hitching virtual trial in ULaaDS, delving into the details of Via´s virtual trial design (using simulation) and implementation plan. Connected to ViaVan’s presentation, the guest speaker – Prof. Christoph von Viebahn (UAS Hannover) – shared with the participants the key results of the “USEFUL” development project – “Understanding, Simulation and Evaluation for Urban Logistics”. Prof. von Viebahn shared insights on data collection for urban logistics using different simulation approaches.
The participants were then divided into three smaller groups to discuss more in-depth the following aspects:
• Limited space and regulation
• Data-collection vs. market competition
• Insights from simulation approaches

To conclude the first day, we gave the floor to the four ULaaDS follower cities – Madrid, Turku, Baerum, and Varna – that presented their respective best practices and challenges related to urban logistics.

The second day of the study visit started at the site of one of the ULaaDS trials. Here the group had the chance to experience first-hand the Rytle operation, with the arrival of a truck, the loading of the Rytle container and the start of that day’s operations for one of the Rytle cargo bikes. Kristian Schopka (Rytle) and Dr. Thomas Nobel (to-be-now-logistics-research-gmbh) in charge of this trial within ULaaDS explained how the operations are carried out and what are the benefits of this system for the city.

The participants then hopped on bikes and cycled to one of the shops where Bremen citizens can rent the ADFC “Fietje” cargo bikes. Bonnie Fenton (ADFC) explained how the cargo bike sharing system works and gave the chance for participants to test the cargo bikes. The group then moved to the final spot for the bike tour, a second location where the Rytle containerised system is in place.

Once back indoors, the afternoon saw enriching discussions and expertise being shared among the participants of the joint ULaaDS and SURFLOGH event. We took the occasion of the ULaaDS study visit to join forces with the SURFLOGH colleagues who organised their final event during the visit.

The afternoon programme kicked off with the SURFLOGH partners sharing the key results from their pilots. SURFLOGH representatives gave insights on the main takeaways from their pilot implementation. The partners have created a full overview of the pilots in an insightful ‘magazine’ of fact sheets: Learning by Doing – From Theory to Practice. This document provides a short description of each pilot concept, the process and progress, which partners were involved and, of course, the results and lessons learned.

Top 10 takeaways:
• Develop a shared ambition with reliable partners
• Containerization is key for the business case
• Emphasize the benefits for retailers
• Find a balance between formulating policy measures and trying to influence the market
• Establish a forum for stakeholders – develop a freight network, find common ground
• Obtain a good understanding of the business perspectives among stakeholder groups
• Allow for the long-term perspective and relevance to city development goals and policies
• Persevere –behavioural change takes time within the transport and logistics sector
• Identify the user cases where custom service generates the most value and prioritize these
• Be flexible – innovation also means being able to adapt and change.

Following SURFLOGH’s shared insights and plenary discussions, the participants divided into groups to brainstorm creative solutions for four pre-defined challenges:
• From an Innovative pilot to a commercially viable project/service
• Selecting the right location/setting up hubs and micro-hubs (real estate, land use etc.)
• Effective public policy (carrot/stick) and soft controls (storytelling) to set the right framework
• Cooperation with logistics service providers in a local setting (with local partners).
The day closed with an animated and interactive knowledge exchange amongst the delegates as each group presented their findings.