FRESH Investigating solutions for freight transport in relation to shopping trips

Shopping accounts for about 1/6 of the private trips. A large proportion of these go by car, and many go to distant locations, even if similar shopping opportunities are closer. It is evident that selection, prices, and parking facilities influence where and how we shop and how we travel to and from the stores. Freight transport of products to shops is considerable in urban areas, although we have less knowledge about volumes. Online shopping took off during the pandemic and have continued to take shares of the shopping for certain items, leading also to an increase in delivery transport. Reduced car dependency and related to that, reduced car driving are both working goals of the urban planners. The FRESH project sets out to increase knowledge about shopping travel behviour among private households and how this relates to commercial transport. We will test interventions that can transfer trips to greener solutions, and strategies for planners to reach more livable cities.

Shopping constitutes, depending on the location, about one-sixth of all private trips. A large proportion of these are made by car, even for short distances. Moreover, a large share of emissions from shopping travel is accounted for by trips to distant facilities, even when opportunities are available nearer. Meanwhile, recent changes in shopping, e.g., increased online shopping, have resulted in a sharp increase in delivery traffic (and a parallel but lesser reduction in car-based shopping trips). Within urban outskirts, these issues are amplified as shopping opportunities within 15 minutes may be limited, requiring further travel or home delivery. While there are insights on mobility trends, consumer behaviour, and innovative forms of urban logistics, there is a need for cities to develop a strategic integrated view on the traffic generated from urban logistics and individual shopping behaviour, and their interaction.