Within the framework of the R&D project MODELROAD, funded by IVACE, the research centre has characterised the transport routes of AdE Logística, Cade Logistics, GLS Spain, Grefusa, Choví, MRW Sibealpi and SEUR to reduce the environmental impact and costs and maximise product protection.

The research centre ITENE has quantified the mechanical risks and carbon footprint of the long-distance and last mile distribution routes of several companies -AdE Logística, Cade Logistics, GLS Spain, Grefusa, Choví, MRW Sibealpi and SEUR- to issue packaging and stowage recommendations and thus boost their sustainability.

 

This work has been developed within the framework of the R&D project MODELROAD, financed by the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (IVACE) through FEDER funds. This project, carried out between July 2021 and June 2022, has focused on improving logistics sustainability from a technical, economic and environmental point of view in long and last mile distribution routes.

 

Patricia Navarro, head of the project at ITENE, explained that "this study is aligned with the definition and design of optimised packaging systems suitable for the logistics processes carried out by the technology centre to ensure that loads remain safe throughout the distribution cycle". "To do this, we identify and quantify the risks of the distribution cycle by means of data recording devices that we install in the transport vehicles," he said.

 

With the objectives of reducing the environmental impact and associated costs and maximising product protection, linear accelerations, angular velocities and shocks, as well as the carbon footprint of the main distribution routes of seven companies with which ITENE has collaborated in the project, have been measured.

 

After the analysis of the characteristic data of the monitored routes, severity levels have been identified in the two types of distribution. Thus, packaging and stowage recommendations have been made according to the type of route (traditional or e-commerce) and the severity level to reduce impacts and costs, as well as to maximise product protection.

In addition, according to the risks and severity levels identified in the main transport routes of each of the companies, test protocols have been developed to reproduce the routes in the simulation laboratory in order to optimise the packaging. This has enabled an analysis and comparison of the economic, social and environmental costs associated with the long-distance and last-mile distribution routes studied.

 

Fuel consumption has also been evaluated to determine the carbon footprint associated with the main distribution route of each of the companies with the aim of increasing their environmental sustainability. Subsequently, labels have been created for packaging with information on the carbon footprint associated with the main distribution route of each of the companies, which have been translated into QR codes aimed at the end consumer to promote environmental awareness.

 

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