Freight Logistics Research Programme

Freight Logistics Research Programme

This research programme aims to support the implementation of the Strategy for Sustainable Distribution by: stimulating academic research and industry uptake of logistics best practice to optimise UK supply chain performance; identifying ways to increase supply chain resilience, and; exploring future logistics scenarios to inform policy development.

Outcomes from the programme include (i) evidence based logistics policy development, (ii) increased capacity in logistics research to drive industry innovation, (iii) key performance indicators (KPIs) embedded in key industrial sectors, and (iv) a value for money freight logistics research programme.

The programme currently has three sub programmes:

1. Home Delivery Operations

The home delivery sector is experiencing unprecedented growth at the same time as more households are becoming single occupied and leisure activities outside the home are taking more of people's time. The Foresight report produced by the Retail Logistics Task Force in 2001 highlighted several important gaps in the current knowledge of the home delivery sector. The aim of this sub-programme is to commission new research in this field, dealing with issues such as operational efficiency and overall transport and environmental impacts of increasing home shopping.

2. Sustainable Distribution Research

Designed to support the implementation of sustainable distribution policy, this sub-programme aims to stimulate academic research and industry uptake of logistics best practice. It identifies ways to increase the resilience of supply networks and also explores future logistics scenarios to inform policy development.

3. TransportEnergy Best Practice programme

The TransportEnergy Best Practice programme (TEBPp) is a key part of the government's commitment to improving the efficiency with which energy is used in the UK by stimulating the uptake of best practice. Typical outputs from this sub programme include Good Practice Guides for freight operators on topics such as fuel management and telematics and Good Practice Case Studies describing how particular operators have implemented best practice, and the resulting savings.

A summary of current work performed by TEBP is included in the programme's six monthly newsletter, Freight Future .

Individual projects within each sub programme, their results, publications and evaluations are described in more detail in the Research Database.

• Transportenergy Bestpractice Programme Freight Market Audit (see link at the foot of this page)
• Transportenergy Bestpractice Freight Element Impact Assessment (see link at the foot of this page)

Freight Logistics Research Group (see link at the foot of this page)

This Group is made up of industry and academic experts and meets approximately three times a year. Members discuss, provide feedback and challenge issues relevant to the Freight Logistics Research Programme. Members also evaluate the impact and relevance of outputs from individual projects in the research programme.

Proposed New Research (see link at the foot of this page)

This is a list of proposed new projects for 2004/2005 and details of the TransportEnergy BestPractice programme business plan deliverables for 2003/2004.

Expression of Interest form(see link at the foot of this page)

This form can be used as a basis for being invited to tender for projects in the Freight Logistics research programme. Expressions of interest are very welcome and the information provided will be used in drawing up a shortlist for inviting potential contractors to tender. Please note however that submitting an expression of interest form does not guarantee inclusion on the shortlist for invitation to tender.

Projects included in the list of proposed new research are the basis of work for the coming year. Inevitably, there are changes to the announced programme during that time. Policy priorities may change, generating new information requirements, or projects originally suggested may no longer be needed or may require modification. The programme is sufficiently flexible to allow for this.

Contacts

If you would like further information about the Freight Logistics research programme please email us at freight@dft.gov.uk

If you need general information about transport research within the Department for Transport then please email transport.research@dft.gov.uk

Reports

Wise Moves modelling report

This study looked at the feasibility and resultant impact on freight mileage and CO2 emissions, of alternative distribution and sourcing strategies for fresh produce in the grocery industry.

Supply Chain Resilience

Commissioned by the Department for Transport, Cranfield University Business School has undertaken research on the vulnerability of supply chains and how to make them more resilient.

Transportenergy Bestpractice Programme Freight Market Audit (1 Mb)

This report assesses the 2005 level of awareness of the freight element of the Transportenergy Bestpractice Programme and evaluates the effectiveness of the communication materials in conveying best practice information.

Published:

24 February 2006

Transportenergy Bestpractice Freight Element Impact Assessment (2 Mb)

This report details the findings from the 2003 impact assessment survey of the freight element of the Transportenergy Bestpractice Programme.

Published:

24 February 2006

FLRG 12 July 2005 meeting note

Note of 12 July 2005 FLRG meeting

Published:

29 January 2007

FLRG 2 May 2006 meeting note

Note of 2 May 2006 FLRG meeting

Published:

29 January 2007

FLRG 14 Sep 2006 meeting note

Note of 14 Sep 2006 FLRG meeting

Published:

29 January 2007