Transport for London (TFL) has teamed up with ten firms including Ceva Logistics, DPD, Gnewt by Menzies and UPS to launch London FreightLab.
The initiative, which aims to make road freight movement in London safer, cleaner and more efficient, will offer funding and land sites for up to six innovative ideas which will be tested by its 10 industry partners.
Michael Hurwitz, TFL’s director of transport innovation, said: “We want to work with the best market innovators from start-ups to corporates to help solve some of the key challenges that London faces. Freight is essential to London’s economy, but as the number of vans and lorries on our streets continues to go up, so does pollution, congestion and road danger.
“We believe innovative new ideas could make a real difference in reducing the impact of freight movements on the capital and this is why we’d like to encourage as many companies as possible to collaborate with us to do this.”
London FreightLab’s partners also include Royal Mail, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, John Lewis Partnership, Plexal, Reef Technology and Thames Water
Eddie Aston, CEVA Logistics UK, Ireland and Nordics MD, said that by partnering with London FreightLab the company hopes “to continue to drive the development of ground breaking research and to develop solutions which benefit our communities, businesses and the environment across the capital.”
Mark Wilkes, DPD technical services director, said DPD is “delighted” to be selected as a partner on the FreightLab project.
“Urban delivery has to change, DPD are excited by the opportunity to continue our zero emission programme working together with key partners and stakeholders to clean up London's air - work that is vital for London residents,” he added.
Peter Harris, UPS international sustainability director, said: “As expanding cities worldwide become increasingly congested, industry players must work together to develop unique solutions to mitigate the impact of urban deliveries and improve the air we breathe.”
London FreightLab is part of the Mayor's Civic Innovation Challenge, which brings together London’s public and private sector with tech companies to develop solutions to problems facing the city. The initiative is delivered in partnership with Microsoft and the Social Tech Trust.
