Sweden: Smoovit, a smart logistics system that consolidates cargo from different carriers to reduce congestion, started operating in Gothenburg city centre on 15 February 2022.
The project aims to improve traffic and air quality within the city by reducing the number of vehicles that travel half-empty. Smoovit began as a research project in 2019, supported by 11 partners including transport operators, property owners, research institutes and government agencies.
Cecilia Elb, Project Manager for Smoovit at Volvo Group Connected Solutions, said:Smoovit as a system and business model is something that we develop and test together. That is why it’s important and exciting that we’re now rolling with cargo in a living-lab where we can learn together how to set up the city logistics for the future.
On 15 February, the project’s first consolidated transport delivery took place in Gothenburg. Parcels from DHL and Best were driven to a city hub in Nordstan and were consolidated on to cargo bikes for last-mile distribution by Pling.
Instead of delivering goods on trucks with low-load rates, Smoovit uses smaller zero-emission distribution vehicles such as e-cargo bikes to create a better city environment.
Ulf Hammarberg, Sustainability Specialist at DHL, said:Congestion is a big challenge that we all face. That is why it’s important for all stakeholders to rethink our old ways and take responsibility to collaborate.
As Smoovit continues to test the consolidated delivery system, the first suburban consolidation hub will be established later this year and more local companies will be invited to try the solution.
The project is currently backed by a consortium of 11 partners: Volvo Group, DHL, Best, Pling, GLC, Velove, Nordstan, Trafikkontoret, RISE, IVL and Trafikverket.
