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TfL launches freight innovation challenge to tackle congestion and keep goods moving

Transport for London is teaming up with ten partners from across the freight industry to launch London FreightLab; one of three challenges in this year's Mayor's Civic Innovation Challenge.

The Mayor and TfL are looking for the best innovators to apply for an innovation challenge, London FreightLab, to develop new ways of tackling some of the biggest issues caused by freight and servicing in London.

This new challenge is part of the Mayor's Civic Innovation Challenge, which brings together London's public and private sector with tech companies to develop solutions to the most pressing problems facing the city, delivered in partnership with Microsoft and the Social Tech Trust.

Freight is the lifeblood of London's economy, delivering vital goods and services to people and companies across the capital. However, in recent years the capital's streets have seen a rapid rise in the number of goods vehicles, which have increased by around 20% since 2010.

This can contribute to poor air quality, congestion and road danger, which is why the Mayor's Transport Strategy aims for a 10% reduction in van and lorry use during the morning peak by 2026.

Innovative ideas

London FreightLab is looking to offer funding, land sites, and subject matter expertise during the pilot stage for up to six innovative ideas, which could be further developed and tested through the London FreightLab challenge.

Ideas should help make the way goods move around London safer, cleaner and more efficient.

TfL is working with ten leading industry partners on the challenge, who will be using their expertise in the sector to evaluate the innovative ideas and see whether they could work on a larger scale. The partners TfL will be working with include:

  • CEVA Logistics
  • DPD
  • GNEWT
  • Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
  • John Lewis Partnership
  • Plexal
  • REEF Technology
  • Royal Mail
  • Thames Water
  • UPS

Applications are open to everybody and full details are available on the TfL website at http://www.tech.london/challenges/tackling-congestion. The deadline for applying is midday on 5 February.

Click here for the full press release

 

Channel website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

Original article link: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/january/tfl-launches-freight-innovation-challenge-to-tackle-congestion-and-keep-goods-moving

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