4C4D

City Distribution

A growing logistics problem is the supply of various retail stores in the Dutch city centers. Parties with all sorts of interests are involved here. Municipalities want their city centers to be low on traffic and keep the inconvenience from trucks to a minimum for the shopping public. Stores no longer want stock, but the continuous supply of products. Transport companies are bound by limitations like fixed access times within which they have to make deliveries, a maximum weight of truck and demands with regards to noise, emissions and safety. In the 4C4D project: City distribution, retailers and transporters design smart ideas in which they bundle and control the flow of goods and frequencies for various retailers.

The 4C4D (4-C For Distribution) project challenges the question how to improve the quality and quantity of the distribution activities by a better orchestration of the different physical flows. Especially in urban areas, there is a huge potential for bundling of distribution flows that are now fragmented. The focus of this research project is collaboration in distribution and coordination between Logistics Service Providers (LSP’s) and between LSP’s and retailers. The increase of collaboration will lead to innovative distribution concepts that are based on sound business models, while meeting objectives and restrictions set by municipalities.

The 4C4D project has 5 Work Packages, varying from consolidation and coordination at urban retailers to valorization and knowledge dissemination. Currently there is a high willingness to improve the city logistics in the Netherlands by all major players. Given the strength, support and interest of the consortium, 4C4D partners expect overall at least 20% reduction in emissions in transport at lower logistics cost.