KoLaMBra – Development of an integrated organizational concept for a cooperative last- mile logistics branch

The project developed a "matching platform" for the logistics industry, i.e. a kind of partner exchange for the urban transport of goods.

Short Description

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Starting point / motivation

Starting from the notion that customers within an industry have similar requirements for transport services, goods transport services are merged on a single platform subdivided by industrial sector.

The approach applied is based on a "Preferred Logistics Partner" model. Logistics partners who wanted to participate in the KoLaMBra system must meet specific:

  • organizational
  • environmental and
  • social conditions that are predetermined by the city council, and are thus subject to a certification process.

In return, they werelisted as preferred partner and benefit not only by the allocation of orders through the system but also by further favourable conditions (e.g., extended delivery time windows).

To meet the specific requirements of certain industry sectors (e.g., in terms of transport equipment, delivery times, etc.), specialized logistics partners are involved in the system.

Contents and goals

The main advantage is that no new goods distribution centres need to be created. The into the cooperation involved logistics partners model bring their existing resources into the system. This will cause a:

  • better utilization of transport capacities
  • reduction of trips
  • reduction of the environmental pollution in the cities
  • reduction of the kilometres travelled

Methods

The communication between shippers, forwarders and logistics service providers took place through a virtual communication platform by means of which delivery data and other information (delivery status information, delivery notes, invoices) could be interchanged easily and in real time. The tariff arrangement is co-operative, which means that benefits were shared adequately to all the partners involved.

Results and conclusion

The project has the potential to lead to a reduction in "unwanted" goods traffic in cities. The certification offers incentives to improve the working conditions of hauliers as well as to increase the quality of transport, thereby promising to contribute to the strengthening of the regional transport industry.

Based on the project outcomes, a start-up company called Consistix GmbH was founded in order to implement the qualification and bundling approach in urban logistics over the long term.

Publications

Project Partners

Project management

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Karl Dörner, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz – Institut für Produktions- und Logistikmanagement

Project partners

  • Martin Schwaiger, SATIAMO
  • Dr. Marike Kellermayr-Scheucher, FH O Forschungs-& Entwicklungs GmbH
  • DI Robert Keber, RISC Software GmbH
  • Dr. Bartosz Piekarz, i-LOG Integrated Logistics GmbH

Contact Address

Johannes Kepler Universität Linz – Institut für Produktions- und Logistikmanagement
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Karl Dörner
Tel.: +43 (732) 2468-9464
E-mail: karl.doerner@jku.at