The White Paper on Transport (2011) has set as an objective to reach buy 2030 an essentially CO2 free urban freight distribution in major cities. What are in your opinion the most promising research alleys one should focus on to reach asuch an objective? Should we concentrate on technologY? Regulation? Stakeholder involvement? Innovative policy formulations? And who should we involve in the research? Why?
Dear Edoardo,
Working together, the regions of Apulia and W.Greece have looked at this question strategically, primarily by testing a responsive dynamic matching between transporters and producers, focusing on LTL/LCL in the 2 countries. This approach considered the problem through technology and stakeholders involvement with a view to supporting regulation and policy uptake in the long term. We estimate that the more-automated process, with the involvement of the major actors, opens up the capabilities for reducing CO2.
Yorgos , thanks for your kind answer. Do you have any publications available on the research project you have mentioned? Who did you work with in Apulia? regards Edoardo
Environmental issues are complex problems, which necessarily means a multi-factorial approach. We need work with scientists as well as with decision-makers, with stakeholders as well as with the civil society - all at once.
We cannot -and should not- maximise or think in terms of priorities or second best, f.i., here. We need work with all the factors altogether. This is what the complexity of the issue involves.
The trouble, though, is that we were never before prepared to think and work in such terms at a global and local level at the same time. This poses a magnificent challenge to humanity as a while. What this means is that we need absolutely change our mindset. Otherwise, we may fail... and collapse.
In my opinion the aim of the research project is not static but dynamic and involves a sequence of activities. The starting point is represented by the technology. Right now the technologies are evolving urban zero CO2 but each tool head a single aspect of transport and mobility solutions. We should focus on pilot projects that bring together the different experiences of applied research. From this starting point the other topics are the next steps required: regulation, stakeholder involvement and so on.
over 70% of CO2 emission comes from transportation activities. So, I think focusing on Electric Vehicles, Green transportation modes, such as alternative fueled vehicles. In general usage of technologies, intelligent traffic systems and sustainable modes of transport to diminish CO2 emissions.
I believe a carbon free society has a close interaction with the concept of sustainability, where environmental, economic and sociological factors are considered together. Therefore, the proposals for CO2 reduction and researches in this area should be interesting for policy-makers and stakeholders (economic), technologies and policies should be environmental friendly (environment) and users willing to pursue them (society).
All in all, I think future researches in the field of "green" transportation will focus on both policy and technology with a close attention to 3-pillars of sustainability (Environment, Society and Economy).
I agree, setting the target of 0 CO2 emissions, and then opting for electric vehicles could be a good way to go, but remain mindful that the manufacturing of these will themselves probably generate CO2!
Decentralising, although on the face of it, requiring more transport from manufacturing to assembly to final point of sale, may be useful, particularly where smaller nations nations undergo earthquake and other 'shocks' which prevent smooth delivery from more centralised manufacturing sites to distribution points. This is because decentralised workplaces are less vulnerable to impacts arising from these shocks becasue they are (or should not be) impacted by any one incident or disaster.
This is despite missing out on some economies of larger scale. With decentralisation you are more likely to enjoy a more unified community 'buy-in' to the industry, particuarly if it is locally owned - a community supplying workers may identify more supportively with such an employer than one owned by a 'big business in some remote city or country.
CO2 =(ton-km)*(kWh/veh-km)*(veh/ton)*(CO2/kWh)
From the simple formula it is trivial idntifying the main factors to be reduced:
1. The volume of freight traffic
2. The energy intensity of freight vehicles
3. The number of deliveries
4. The CO2 intensity of the energy source
Each factor can repreent q different research or policy approach.
Acting on all is the best
one thought:
Sometimes I wonder whether taxation is not the best way to move things in the right direction. If we want to decrease use of oil universally why don´t we agree on universal tax per liter of oil which will increase with time. It doesn't have to mean more general taxation, governments can just decrease other taxes.
Stimulation to decrease CO2 emission in urban freight could be done with taxes. Then the business would seek the best solutions to lower cost. Demand for solutions is then created. Referring to Mr. Marcuccis start, taxes are probably in the regulation box. A lot needs to be looked at regarding taxes in this case. What kind of tax? How to implement? and so on.
Dear Jòn
while your idea is in principle correct, the use of taxes in urban freight transport, especially when aimed at transport providers those materially producing the externalities, does not seem to work as expected. There is some work done on this subject in NYC by a collegue José Holguin-Veras, showing that the tax is not passed on to those that induce the behaviour (retailers) due to the market strucuture that is extremely competitive for last mile transporetation. Ttransport providers are not in a position to transfer the toll and they have only to bear with it if they can or go out of the market.
Taxes do not seem to work well in this sector.
regards
Edoardo
Dear Edoardo
Thank you, this is interesting. I am not familiar with this case in NY. But the question rises: Does any kind of taxes work badly in this sector or was the tax in NY just a bad kind of tax, not having the right stimulation (which seems to be the case as your describe it)?
best regards
Jón
Jon the tax is not working due to the market on which it is imposed. If I aim at hitting retailers through transport providers but transport providers have no market power this is useless in terms of final impact on congestion. this is basically what happened.
regards
edoardo
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