Measures put in place by the logistics sector for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games could, if adopted permanently, improve safety levels for cyclists and other vulnerable users and bring environmental benefits for any city that adopts them.
That’s the finding of a major new in-depth analysis of the performance of the logistics sector during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) in association with DHL and University of Westminster, the “Maintaining Momentum: Summer 2012 Logistics Legacy Report” highlights Transport for London data showing that the number of lorries over 3.5t in the morning traffic peak (08.30 hrs) during the Games fell almost 15% compared to a summer’s day in 2011.
Coordinated and innovative approaches meant fewer kerbside deliveries by day, thereby improving the safety of cyclists for whom such vehicles can be an added safety hazard. It also led to a reduction in fuel consumption of between 3% and 6% and reductions in lorry/van driver hours of up to 20%. Fewer goods vehicles on the road by day also indirectly benefitted bus services that were able to move more freely.
With goods vehicles accounting for a sixth of the total distance travelled on London’s roads and over 50% of all cyclist fatalities resulting from collisions with Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs), the report also says that improved communications between local authorities, event managers, logistics operators and customers were a leading feature of the smooth operation of the London Games.
The report concluded that the success of out-of-hours deliveries during the Games, coupled with the Quiet Delivery Code of Practice established during the run-up period, demonstrated that night-time deliveries can be made efficiently and without inconvenience to residents or businesses whilst achieving reduced fuel consumption, less emissions and safer operations.
In order to exploit these benefits in the future, the report says that regulatory reform of London Lorry Control Scheme is needed, in order to make night deliveries easier. In return operators could be obliged to adhere to a code of conduct specifying low emission grade engines.
CILT chief executive Steve Agg said: ‘For freight and passenger transport, the London Games proved a major success. Goods and services were retained at highly efficient levels, and people were able to move London’s streets more quickly and easily. We must now take advantage of this “London 2012 effect” and put some of the lessons learned into practice on a permanent basis for the sake of all road users, especially for cyclists and pedestrians, to make the capital city a more pleasant place to live and work.’