Clean vehicles and fixed delivery times

Summary

New regulations were required in order to adapt goods distribution in Burgos to the progressive pedestrianisation of the city centre. Vehicle transit was reduced in the “clean zone” while ensuring continuous goods delivery by cleaner vehicles.

Implementing sustainable mobility

In Burgos, goods stored in numerous central warehouses outside the city were distributed daily using small vans that circulated through the city centre. This gave rise to a number of problems:

• delivery vehicles circulating throughout the city, including sensitive zones in the historic centre, aggravating congestion problems;
• pedestrian zones full of large, noisy delivery vehicles during working hours;
• double parking during loading and unloading due to the illegal occupancy of reserved delivery bays; and
• delivery vehicles entering the city’s pedestrian zones.

The measure was therefore aimed at more environmentally friendly goods delivery by limiting access to clean zones in the city centre. The use of cleaner vehicles was also promoted by actively encouraging delivery companies to gradually replace their fleets with vehicles conforming to Euro IV standards.
Activities included:

• optimisation of goods distribution logistics in the “clean zone”;
• designation of specific parking zones around the “clean zone” for loading and unloading;
• design of a new concept for distribution in the “clean zone”;
• design of a new freight logistics centre;
• analysis of the situation and level of involvement of distributors, logistics services and industries;
• analysis of social and economic feasibility and satisfactory layout for the new goods distribution system;
• introduction of cleaner vehicles for goods delivery in the “clean zone”;
• implementation of public information campaigns to promote new goods distribution strategies and win public acceptance;
• organisation of training workshops for police officers; and
• training for system operators.
   

Progress

The measure was implemented in relation to the new access restriction scheme designed by Burgos city council to offer the public more open, pedestrianised spaces free from traffic, pollution and noise. It was also linked to the development of a new freight distribution centre using cleaner, electric vehicles. An agreement was signed with goods distribution companies to arrange delivery timetables, and entry into the restricted access area was limited to electric vehicles and bicycles belonging to the goods distribution system. 

Outcomes

• Fewer vans and lorries crossing sensitive city-centre areas.
• Support from more than 88 percent of citizens.
• Support from more than 90 percent of goods distribution companies for the new system and the new freight distribution centre.
• Good transference of results from Genoa and other cities.
• Involvement of stakeholders throughout the implementation process.