Public transport networks could assume a second role in urban mobility by carrying parcels into congested city centres, reducing the number of delivery vans competing for limited road space.
Known as Freight-on-Transit, the concept involves taking parcels from distribution facilities to selected public transport stops on the outskirts of a city. They then travel by bus, tram or train before being collected at another stop for delivery by cargo bike, another small vehicle or a courier on foot.
Interest in the approach is being driven by the rapid growth of online shopping, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
