Correos continues implementation of a low carbon and low noise delivery system

Throughout 2017, Correos has continued to implement its ‘POSTLowCIT’ project, which was initiated in 2016. The project, which is co-financed by the European Union, aims to develop a delivery system with low emissions of CO2, NOx and noise, thereby improving inner-city air quality and reducing congestion.

This ambitious objective is being achieved through the following project activities:

  • Incorporating the use of electric vehicles in Correos’ last mile delivery model.
  • Validating the application of liquefied gas (LPG) in long-distance delivery routes and promoting it as an alternative fuel.
  • Developing a more efficient distribution network model that takes advantage of advanced technology and information systems, so as to eliminate critical bottlenecks in the freight transport network.

To achieve these objectives, the project has been structured in two major phases. Firstly, an in-depth logistics study was conducted in collaboration with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, via the Cátedra-Correos. Following this, the second phase will see the development of several pilots, which will enable Correos to analyse the impact of using alternative fuels and more efficient delivery routes on emissions, traffic congestion and, importantly, service quality standards.

With assistance from the University of Deusto, these pilots will also assess the most effective means of introducing a route optimiser, as well as analyse the viability of the technology to manage the thousands of shipments that travel through Correos’ logistics network every day.

When the POSTLowCIT project is completed in 2019, Correos hopes to have:

  • Gained enough information to determine which technology is optimal for each type of route, based on the distribution area and time requirements – as well as understand the variables that can impact performance.
  • Taken the first steps to optimise the use of charging of electric vehicles by evaluating their integration into micro-networks, which could result in improving the energy efficiency of our buildings.
  • Laid the foundations of an information infrastructure that interacts with traffic data in real time.