Micromobility and freight: Exploring opportunities in WA

Around the world, cities are embracing micromobility as an option for the freight challenge in cities – including lightweight vehicles such as e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, trolleys, and drones. This research project seeks to consider the applicability and potential for micromobility to assist with the last mile freight task in the Perth CBD and other built-up areas.

It will also explore issues related to applying micromobility freight solution to the last mile delivery in major activity centres in Perth by establishing baseline knowledge of micromobility and last mile freight from global case studies and test scenarios of potential micromobility solutions in the Perth metropolitan region.

Participants

• Department of Transport (WA)
• University of Western Australia (in partnership with Curtin University)

Project background

Freight movement is changing in the face of increased e-commerce. Demand for last mile freight tasks is due to increase by 78% globally by 2030 as predicted by the World Economic Forum.

As central Perth and other major activity centres grow in line with a projected metro region population increase to 3.5 million by 2050, there will be increased demand on local transport systems to accommodate last mile delivery. Cities around the world have looked to micromobility to address some of these challenges.

However, integrating micromobility into last mile freight systems is challenging, with many regulatory, infrastructure and land use planning challenges.

In order to enhance the last mile freight task efficiency and reduce additional pressure on the road network in built-up areas, pollution and noise issues, negative health, wellbeing and quality of place impacts and delivery costs, this research project will investigate the applicability, potential and viability of micromobility options.

Project objectives

This project aims to explore issues related to applying micromobility freight solution to the last mile delivery in major activity centres in Perth by establishing baseline knowledge of micromobility and last mile freight and testing scenarios of potential
micromobility solutions in the Perth metropolitan region.

Project objectives are to:

1. Identify the factors influencing last mile freight and micromobility and establish their determinant level;
2. Identify the factors and refine determinants relating to global case studies of micromobility last mile schemes;
3. Develop three to four scenarios of micromobility last mile solutions for the Perth CBD and other relevant locations in the Perth Metropolitan Area;
4. Establish stakeholder views on scenarios and considerations for the application of micromobility last mile solutions for the Perth CBD and other relevant locations in the Perth Metropolitan Area; and
5. Consolidate analysis for final report.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!