Measures put in place by the logistics sector for the London 2012 Olympics, including night-time deliveries, could increase road safety and benefit the environment, if adopted permanently, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has said.
The measures included more night-time deliveries, consolidation of loads onto fewer vehicles and improved levels of communications between local authorities, operators, customers and employees.
These conclusions follows in-depth analysis of the performance of the industry during the summer events, entitled Maintaining Momentum: Summer 2012 Logistics Legacy Report.
The report, by the CILT, in association with DHL and the University of Westminster, uses Transport for London data.
It showed that the number of trucks over 3.5 tonnes on the roads at the usual morning traffic peak of 8:30am, during the games, fell by nearly 15 per cent compared to 2011.
A three to six per cent reduction in fuel consumption, and a 20 per cent reduction in lorry/van driver hours were also noted.
Graham Inglis, CILT president, and DHL Supply Chain CEO Europe, said: “The lessons learnt by the logistics industry and highlighted in this report, including the beneficial effects of alternative urban solutions and the collaborative effort of the whole industry, have the power to change the future of logistics across the UK.”
The report found that the success of out-of-hours deliveries during the games, coupled with the Quiet Delivery Code of Practice established during the run-up period, demonstrated that night-time deliveries could be made efficiently and without inconvenience to residents or businesses while achieving reduced fuel consumption, less emissions and safer operations.
The report also suggested that regulatory reform of the London Lorry Control Scheme was needed, to make night deliveries easier.
“For freight and passenger transport, the London Games proved a major success. Goods and services were retained at highly efficient levels, and people were able to move London’s streets more quickly and easily, said CILT chief executive, Steve Agg.
“We must now take advantage of this ‘London 2012 effect’ and put some of the lessons learned into practice on a permanent basis for the sake of all road users, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, to make the capital city a more pleasant place to live and work.”
