“SMART BAYS digitalises and optimises urban loading and unloading zones to improve the efficiency of urban logistics”
New generation of smart management for urban loading and unloading zones with SMART BAYS
Urban freight distribution (UFD) has become one of the biggest mobility challenges for cities. This last part of the logistics chain, which is key to supplying retail, hospitality, healthcare centres and households, is experiencing unprecedented growth boosted by the rise of e-commerce and increased demand for fast, flexible and highly traceable deliveries. However, this essential activity takes place in an increasingly congested urban context, with growing restrictions, lack of space for loading and unloading and the urgent need to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact.
In this scenario, digitalisation and smart management of loading and unloading zones have become critical elements to ensure more organised, sustainable and efficient urban logistics. This is precisely where SMART BAYS comes in.
Digital transformation for a more efficient urban space
TECNALIA is taking part in SMART BAYS, a strategic project aimed at transforming the management of urban loading and unloading zones using advanced digital technologies. The project proposes an innovative model capable of monitoring, allocating and managing these zones dynamically and in real time, contributing to more efficient, sustainable and connected urban logistics.
A smart solution to a growing urban challenge
The rise of e-commerce and the pressure on public space have increased the need to optimise urban goods distribution operations.
- SMART BAYS addresses this challenge by integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, IoT and digital twins, with the aim of improving operational efficiency, reducing emissions and promoting a more rational use of urban space.
- The solution will help to dynamically adapt the size of loading/unloading bays, simulate urban scenarios using digital twins and deploy dynamic zones that respond in real time to logistics demand.
Validation in Spanish cities
The model will be assessed using real data from several Spanish cities, including Zaragoza, Seville, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia-San Sebastián, to ensure its replicability and establish a scalable solution for different urban realities.
A strong public-private consortium
SMART BAYS is promoted by a national consortium of key stakeholders in the logistics and technology ecosystem. In addition to TECNALIA, participating entities include organisations such as ALIA, CITET, MLC-ITS Euskadi, TECNARA, Smart City Cluster, UNIZAR, EBOCA, ROUTAL, Novapan, EFOR, Novaltia, Nemi, Callizo and BonÀrea.
TECNALIA’s contribution
TECNALIA offers expertise in digital technologies applied to mobility, advanced modelling and smart systems, and is involved in the design and validation of the virtual model that will optimise the management of loading and unloading zones and assess the impact of new urban management strategies.
A commitment to smarter and more sustainable cities
SMART BAYS is part of the European strategies aimed at climate-neutral cities and contributes to the promotion of technological solutions for a more agile, efficient and environmentally friendly urban mobility.
The project is funded within the framework of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism’s Ayudas a Agrupaciones Empresariales Innovadoras (AEI).