NOVELOG

Improving efficiency of road transport in the different human environments

Novelog will always be one of the pillars of IRU mission and nature. One of the main ways to achieve this objective is by boosting cooperation and understanding in urban freight distribution and service trips.

For this reason IRU Projects, alongside 27 partners, has launched a new project called NOVELOG, whose focus is making collaboration a common mindset in urban freight distribution and at the same time providing decision makers with the right tools to find the most practical transport solutions.

In the frame of the project, different partners and stakeholders will be brought together with the aim of drafting and developing sustainable business models and best practices to improve urban freight deliveries. Then, by supporting the implementations in selected European cities of effective and sustainable urban freight policies, measures and solutions, NOVELOG will be able to enhance the ‘last mile’ urban freight transport system.

Finally, to allow the adoption of NOVELOG project results by a broad range of users, including transport operators, a set of practical tools will be developed at the end of the third and final year of the project.

IRU's role

IRU brings in the voice and position of road transport operators regarding the impact of technological advances on urban logistics and freight transport. Novelog will particularly take on board the road transport sector’s views on the influence that emerging trends and drivers like e-commerce, alternative modes of delivery (such as drones) and the increasing demand for urban deliveries will have on the trucking industry.

Project results

Here are the expected results and impacts:

improved understanding of cost effective (non-vehicle technology based) strategies, measures and business models to reduce the carbon footprint of logistical operations in cities
increased load factors and reduced need for vehicle movements resulting in cost and emission benefits
optimised governance and stakeholders’ cooperation in urban distribution through a more powerful, consensus-oriented decision support system
strengthened capacity of local authorities and stakeholders in developing sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs), by providing tools for managing an “implementation chain” (problem capture – decision – planning – testing – assessment – adjustment – implementation)