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The European Commission's Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) has recently presented a series of insightful reports aimed at advancing sustainable urban mobility, with a particular focus on urban logistics. The group has developed strategic recommendations for Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs), which aim to optimise the transport of goods within urban areas while reducing environmental impact.

The first report outlines recommendations for local authorities when designing their SULPs. The Expert Group proposes developing an EU-wide common approach for data collection and voluntary data sharing for SULPs, as local authorities often lack quality data about urban freight transport flows. The existing SULP guidelines are recommended to be updated to include new elements such as the real estate market, energy provision, and the circular economy, taking into account the latest innovations like digital twins, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. The report also suggests establishing a policy framework to encourage collaborative logistics, sharing vehicles and assets, and maximising the use of all available resources.

Another report explores for the challenges and opportunities of data sharing for zero-emission logistics, measuring performance and short and long term urban planning. The Expert Group recommends that data sharing should be voluntary and aimed at specific policy development or operational improvements in urban logistics, benefitting both the public and private sectors. Local authorities should leverage existing data sources and IT tools to collect data, rather than developing new platforms, with the use of standardised tools and protocols working across different authorities and companies. The report also suggests that local authorities continue digitalising their regulations, information and assets, to enable optimised use of urban space and infrastructure including energy provision. Finally, cities should initiate pilot projects with diverse stakeholders to co-create tools for data sharing, ensuring that these tools are widely accepted and used by the logistics sector.

The Expert Group will continue its work in 2025, focusing on urban nodes to increase understanding and cooperation between cities and stakeholders of their functional urban areas, as well as on city access for businesses, to examine the challenges for road freight transport in accessing urban areas and facilitate mobility.

Source: European Commission