This has been an exciting year for us at MOVEN, our technological & advising arm at ‘The Future of Mobility» Alliance, thanks to our participation in the Logicycle project. This international initiative, supported by EIT Urban Mobility – an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union – has successfully completed the pilot phase and, with it, MOVEN has been able to contribute to the transformation of urban logistics. The Logicycle project was a pioneering effort to transform urban logistics through the implementation of microhubs, spaces strategically located to facilitate the efficient and sustainable delivery of goods in densely populated urban environments. The main objective was to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce emissions and alleviate congestion in urban areas.

During the project, pilot experiences in Madrid and Prague identified a number of challenges and opportunities. One of the main obstacles identified was the scarcity of available space for microhubs in the most demanded urban areas; in Madrid, an ideal space for the microhub was finally found: the MiMoto car park in Calle Claudio Coello 120, where the pilot has been running since the middle of the year. During the project, MOVEN has carried out activities with the actors involved in the microhubs and has identified a greater challenge, since there is an urgent need for the logistics sector to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, but there is resistance to the adoption of new practices by logistics companies if they do not receive any incentives or bonus. The inclusion of these microhubs in the logistics chain entails a financial effort that not all companies are ready to assume.

Thanks to the participation of VONZU in the project, the Microhub management software for the consolidation and distribution of parcels was tested during the pilots. The application has proved its worth in areas such as security, performance and real-time tracking, and it has been identified that it could be technically improved in terms of integration with other logistics systems for greater interoperability. Ongoing training and support will be essential to ensure effective adoption of the system.

The pilot in Madrid, in which MOVEN has been actively involved, has proven to be quite fruitful. Despite the challenges, we have seen promising results. Cooperation and coordination between the different logistics actors has improved, and the project has laid the foundations for future implementations and adaptations in the field of micro-hubs. The Logicycle project has marked a significant milestone in the urban logistics landscape and we hope to use the lessons learned to further drive innovation in the field.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to all the project partners for their unwavering commitment and dedication (VONZU, SACYR, POWERHUB, UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS (VUB), MADRID CITY COUNCIL AND CITY OF PRAGUE). A special acknowledgement to the participation of MENSOS, whose collaboration and support made the operation of the pilot microhub in Madrid possible. Their expertise and efforts have been fundamental to the progress and success of Logicycle. 😉