LEAD

LEAD is an EU-funded project under the CIVITAS Initiative that will create Digital Twins of urban logistics networks in six cities, to support experimentation and decision making with on-demand logistics operations in a public-private urban setting.

The rise of on-demand logistics is putting serious strain on last-mile delivery systems. Consumers require responsive logistics systems that deliver customised products at low or even zero cost. The industry now promises instant (within the hour) delivery and personalised product manufacturing. The last-mile delivery market is developing fast through both large and small-scale consumer platforms, however economic incentives to create sustainable systems are weak.

Running from June 2020 until May 2023, LEAD will create Digital Twins of urban logistics networks in six cities. Innovative solutions for city logistics will be represented by a set of value case scenarios, which address the requirements of the on-demand economy while aligning competing interests and creating value for all different stakeholders.

Evidence-proven value cases and associated logistics solutions will be delivered in the form of exploitable Digital Twins (TRL-7), incorporating the models that support adaptation to different contexts and that provide incentives for PPPs. The long-term vision of LEAD is to design an Open PI-inspired framework for Smart City Logistics that incorporates the Digital Twins created in the project, thus setting the foundations for the development of large-scale city Digital Twins. Several Living Labs will be established in LEAD, including Madrid, The Hague, Budapest, Lyon, Oslo and Porto.

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