DHL SmartTrucks Save Fuel and Reduce CO2 Emissions
Field tests of DHL’s SmartTrucks show that these innovative, RFID-enabled delivery vans can save money, time and CO2, but read rates need to be improved, according to an article yesterday at RFID Journal.
DHL, the global package delivery service division of logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL, rolled out its first two SmartTrucks for testing earlier this year. These vans, which are making deliveries throughout Berlin, are equipped with:
• Navigation technology for the consideration of real-time traffic conditions to avoid traffic jams and other obstacles
• RFID for a simple recording of shipments and the availability of these data for dynamic route planning
• Communication technology for a precise notification of pickup times for the customer
In the article, Keith Ulrich, DHL’s leader of technology and innovation management, says the field tests proved that SmartTrucks can save fuel, reduce CO2emissions, and improve customer service thanks to better punctuality and communication regarding pick-up and delivery of shipments.
However, the system’s ability to read passive ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID labels affixed to packages has not achieved the desired 100% read rate –particularly when a driver arrives at a delivery address and pulls out multiple small parcels (such as a stack of large envelopes, e.g.) all at once.
DHL is optimistic the issue can be resolved, Ulrich reports, and the company is working to fix the problem, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute, a contract research organization in Magdeburg, Germany, that is partially government-sponsored.
Deutsche Post DHL wants the SmartTruck initiative to help it achieve its goal, set in April 2008, of improving the CO2 efficiency of its operations by 10% by 2012, and by 30% by 2020.
As both companies and consumers become increasingly concerned with climate change, we’re going to see more attention paid to the CO2 emissions generated by different shopping behaviors and supplier distribution methods. It’s great to hear that DHL is already out in front, working to finetune its SmartTrucks and reduce the carbon footprint of its deliveries.
