Last-mile delivery of goods

Summary

The main goal of this measure was to develop a Sustainable Urban Logistics Plan (SULP) for Valletta and develop a pilot with private operators to test out the Last Mile delivery of goods concept in Malta, using a shared electric van.

The SULP for Valletta proposes that a clearer regulation of freight transport operation in urban areas is adopted at a local and national level. This should be done to protect the urban environment, to reduce air pollution, to reduce the amount of traffic infringements, and to reduce congestion on the streets and roads of Valletta, particularly during peak hours.

Implementing sustainable mobility

An innovative concept for Malta

Last mile delivery using energy-efficient vehicles has not been tested in Malta; nor has the transport of goods been given much attention. The SULP was therefore be a very important tool in understanding the current state of affairs and in proposing new ways how to make freight transport more sustainable.

This measure included data collection and research into the feasibility of logistics planning for the city. The implementation of the electric shared van between different operators to perform their deliveries to the capital Valletta and the wider Valletta Region is the first application of a shared delivery concept on the islands.

Preparing the baseline

The SULP baseline was formed using data from previous studies, combined with data collected during a fact-finding mission in late 2017 - this determined entry and exit points for deliveries to Valletta, freight movements in the city, and the location and use of unloading bays in the city. The baseline was finalised in February 2018 with the final version of the SULP delivered in 2019.

This measure involved collaboration with Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, a collection of shops selling local crafts and artisanal products. They supply a number of souvenir shops in Valletta and agreed to test out the use of a shared electric van to deliver their goods from their location in the centre of the island to Valletta. An agreement was signed between TM and Ta’ Qali Tenants Association in December 2019.

Promotion of electric vehicles

The pilot with the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village was designed to showcase and promote the uptake of good solutions in a voluntary way, by providing evidence and demonstrating the benefits for the public and private sectors.

The research, consultation and development of the SULP as part of DESTINATIONS has enabled the creation of a comprehensive plan, which contains actions for the short and longer term. Transport Malta can, together with other stakeholders, continue working on the identified actions to improve logistics management and sustainable mobility for deliveries.

Analysis

Due to the current worldwide pandemic and the restrictive measures it brought, business slowed down to a complete halt and data collection for the usage of the van could not be fully completed. Therefore, the data collection had to be adapted and was based partially on estimations using the baseline data as guidance, and partially through a qualitative interview with the participating operators.

Outcomes

Businesses participated in the pilot – 7

Trips shifted from private vehicles to the shared van – 156

Less CO2 emissions - 532.95 kg

Less PM emissions - 0.023 tonnes

Less NOx emissions - 5.38 tonnes