Portering

Our animation below describes the concept, its main aims and benefits, as well as initial results obtained from surveys, analyses and field trials with our project partners Gnewt by Menzies Distribution. More detailed modelling of the concept was undertaken using a portering algorithm specially developed by the FTC2050 team. Modelling results based on a major parcel carrier operating in the EC2 area of central London suggested CO₂ emissions could be reduced by 45% (9500kg/year) and NOx emissions by 33% (7.64kg/year), with driving distance reduced by 78% (48,100km/year) and the amount of time spent stationary at the curbside by 45% (2558 hours/year). Scaling up the modelled emissions savings to London’s Central Activities Zone, an area approximately 10 times bigger than the modelled case study area and with estimated total annual parcel delivery distance of 15 million km, could see annual emissions savings in the region of 2 million kg CO₂ and 1633kg NOx if all parcel carriers utilised porters or cycle couriers. Overall cost savings to the carrier were estimated to be in the range 34%-39%.

Following our research, Gnewt developed the idea commercially with Ford Last Mile Delivery.

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