Öffi-Packerl

The Öffi-Packerl project aims to develop an innovative concept for sustainable parcel delivery by using public transport for the combined transport of people and goods. Passengers are involved as active transporters (“crowd members”). The aim is to reduce emissions, relieve congestion on the roads and improve the efficiency of the last mile.

The strategic objective is to promote a climate-neutral mobility system in Austria and Europe. Operationally, the concept aims to achieve the following: eduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, Reduction of transport costs by up to 10%, 10% reduction in road infrastructure congestion, 20% increase in the delivery service level for parcels

Client: BMK – Mobility of the Future, 17th call for proposals

Duration: 2023 – 2026

Project partners: Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, netwiss OG, TU Vienna – Institute for Computer Technology, Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG, Austrian Post AG and Stranzinger Logistik Service GmbH, Project-S Global.Web.Shop Ltd. & CoKG, Variocube Ltd., upstream – next level mobility GmbH

LOI partners: Steiermarkbahn, Wiener Lokalbahnen, OÖVV, Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce

Project description:

Strong increase in e-commerce (up to 30% more shipments in 2020 alone). Political targets call for climate neutrality by 2040/2050. Conventional parcel logistics puts a strain on road traffic, causes high emissions and hinders passenger mobility. Previous attempts to combine passenger and freight transport (e.g. freight trams) have had limited success.

The Öffi-Packerl project therefore takes an integrative approach: passengers actively take on transport tasks, optimising the use of existing public transport capacities and at the same time involving the population in climate protection measures.

The project is divided into the following steps-

– Analysis of the initial situation, requirements and stakeholders

– Development of a prototype (software and hardware) for crowdsourced delivery in public transport

– Piloting in urban areas (trams in Vienna) and rural areas (buses in Upper Austria)

– Empirical passenger surveys on acceptance and motivation

– Development of matching algorithms for parcel and passenger routes

– Development of business models and new billing models

– Evaluation of ecological, economic and social effects

Expected results are:

– Proof of the feasibility of crowdsourced delivery in public transport

– Reduction of CO₂ emissions, transport costs and traffic congestion

– Increased availability of parcel stations within walking distance

– An interdisciplinary sharing economy model for sustainable logistics

– Strengthening of the public transport system and public awareness of climate protection

Contact: DI Dr. Bernhard Rüger