Traditionally using lorries for city deliveries, Nedcargo faced challenges due to stricter environmental regulations and safety concerns in narrow city streets. In 2018, students from the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences established a consolidation centre to deliver goods to Nedcargo’s customers in the inner city of Rotterdam by different types of LEFVs. Data revealed a 30% reduction in roundtrip times, and more than 90% reduction in CO2 and NOx as compared to lorries. Customer surveys also indicated increased satisfaction with the new delivery method.16 Impact and takeaways Since its establishment in 2015, the Roboat project has amassed a substantial body of scientific knowledge through research, visualizations, experiments and prototyping. This plethora of information encompasses autonomous navigation, perception-control systems and potential applications wherein Roboats could serve as an alternative form of public transport. The first prototypes were tested in 2017, with a second demonstration taking place in 2018.17 In 2021, one water taxi and one waste collection boat were launched for live testing in Amsterdam waterways.18 Subsequently, Roboat officially launched as a start-up company in early 2023 with a focus on its autonomous system, which can be installed in new-build boats, as well as in existing vessels. Amsterdam’s public transport company GVB uses this system for its ferry services across the IJ river system. Roboat’s system can identify all objects in the water and provides this information to the captain to make the crossing safer. The company also supplied its system to a shipping provider and local operator in Paris for the 2024 Olympics to help carry passengers across the Seine.19 Roboat’s prototype vehicle is zero emissions, and the company is seeking to embed electrification as a principle of its plans to scale the technology in the future.20 Roboat’s ability to operate safely and efficiently in dynamic urban environments with extensive water networks like Amsterdam holds promise for future applications. With many cities across the world still having canals as a key feature of urban form, autonomous river transport solutions such as Roboat could hold promise to alleviate pressure on the road network and provide sustainable, intelligent transport for passengers and freight, strengthening transport connections across cities. The Roboat initiative also highlights the significance of public private collaboration in deploying innovative transportation solutions. Sustainable delivery solutions and congestion alleviation can be achieved through innovative approaches in urban logistics such as CTPark. By establishing multimodal hubs strategically located within city centres, delivery operations can optimize access to densely populated areas while minimizing environmental impact. Incorporating emission-free vehicles and charging infrastructure, such hubs promote eco- friendly transportation methods. Additionally, by facilitating last-mile deliveries efficiently, they contribute to reducing congestion and improving overall urban mobility. Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile Transport 9

Combatting Congestion 2025