LogIKTram project conclusion with live demonstration: New perspectives for urban freight transport while relieving road traffic congestion
As part of the LogIKTram research project, it was determined how future freight transportation can be shifted to streetcar and light rail vehicles in order to relieve urban and regional road traffic.
At the final event of the LogIKTram research project on 28.06.2024 in Karlsruhe, a solution for the sustainable relief of urban and regional road traffic was presented: Shifting freight traffic on medium and short distances from road to rail. Special streetcar cars, which are used as so-called “freight streetcars”, offer an innovative and environmentally friendly transport system for urban and regional supplies to private households and businesses.
Live demonstration of the research results
In addition to presentations on the innovative concept, a prototype implementation of the freight streetcar system was presented in a live demonstration. For this purpose, the consortium leader, Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH (AVG), provided a light rail vehicle that had been specially converted to meet the requirements of the project. During the demonstration, the participants were able to experience the smooth, technical integration of freight transportation into the rail-bound public transport network: An electrically assisted bicycle trailer drove independently into the designated area of the streetcar to be transported from there to the delivery area. There, the eTrailer would be taken over by a bicycle courier for delivery.
“I am delighted about the successful conclusion of our joint research project. This groundwork is of crucial importance so that we can transport goods in a climate-friendly way with our light rail vehicles in Karlsruhe in the near future,” says Christian Höglmeier, Technical Managing Director of AVG, adding: “I would like to thank all the partners involved in the consortium who have contributed to the success of this important project.”
Innovative concepts for smooth coordination
The LogIKTram project brought together two very different systems: passenger transportation and logistics. Until now, there were neither standards nor interfaces for data exchange. To evaluate the FZI press release concept, the ICT platform was coupled with simulations. This made it possible to examine the interaction between the vehicle, automated load handling and journeys as well as the logistics and rail operations planning and control processes.
A role model for other cities
The growing online trade not only has an impact on delivery traffic, but also puts a strain on road infrastructure and residents alike. In addition, the travel costs of a full streetcar are similar to those of an empty one. So what if unoccupied spaces could be used to transport goods, for example? Many cities and municipalities are already thinking about alternative options for local logistics. LogIKTram is intended to serve as a model for other cities with streetcar or light rail networks and integrate regional rail transport into urban logistics. With a holistic approach, the solution concept includes not only the transport technology for the freight streetcar, but also a suitable ICT platform and an overall logistics concept along the transport chain from the regional distribution warehouses via the freight streetcar to the urban logistics hubs.
Project coordination: Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH
Project partners: FZI Research Center for Information Technology, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, INIT GmbH,
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Marlo Consultants GmbH, SimPlan AG, DB
Engineering & Consulting GmbH
Associated partners: AEN – Automotive Engineering Network, e-mobil BW GmbH, Hitachi,
City of Karlsruhe, TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe GmbH, Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe GmbH
Funding body: Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK)
Image: Locked LogiKTram being transported in a streetcar. Image rights: AVG / Paul Gärtner
