Denmark picks up the baton for night-time deliveries
December 05th 2011

The state of the global economy and its subsequent impact on public spending retrenchment, together with the environmental imperative that has made carbon reduction a top priority for companies and their governments, certainly hasn’t hindered the progress of night-time deliveries in Europe. Natalie Chapman of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) reveals a growing appetite on the Continent for this simple ‘win-win’ solution which improves efficiency, environmental performance and seems to have no drawbacks…

It was with a sense of pride that I, along with the Noise Abatement Society, the Department for Transport, Transport and Travel Research (TTR) and Sainsbury’s, shared the results of the recently completed Quiet Deliveries Demonstration Scheme (QDDS) with a delegation from FTA’s Danish equivalent, International Transport Denmark (ITD). ‘Pride’ because this simple concept which actually started in Holland has been tirelessly championed and rigorously tested in the UK, sparking interest beyond these shores.

Like FTA, the ITD is not afraid to spearhead initiatives that will ultimately save the industry and the businesses within its membership money and time and allow them to meet their own carbon reduction targets. The Danish contingent, which included the Danish Transport Authority, Business Link South Denmark and a representative from the bread company Lantmännen Schulstad, were keen to understand how the results of the QDDS in England could translate into Denmark, taking into account the many practicalities, benefits and challenges of delivering goods out-of-hours that were found in the UK.

One of the most obvious challenges to overcome was in ensuring that local residents’ right to a good night’s sleep was not in any way compromised by lifting late night or early morning delivery bans. Lisa Lavia, managing director of the Noise Abatement Society, has played a massive part in ensuring that this remains a central component of night-time deliveries. It is partly this background of responsibility for one’s community that has driven its success. Lisa’s own enthusiasm for rolling out the scheme is testament to that: “Interest in the QDDS trials is growing, with several countries seeking to adapt the scheme locally. We know that if best practice is shared and strict guidelines to protect the rights of residents are adhered to, then night-time deliveries are an efficient and pragmatic solution to a growing problem.”

By saving fuel and time, the investment in quiet equipment such as reversing alarms and driver training needed to make night time deliveries quiet represent a solid return. But it’s not just businesses that can reap the benefits, everyone would benefit from lower road congestion, cleaner air and a more reliable supply chain. Indeed, earlier this year, Transport Minister Mike Penning gave his backing to night-time deliveries declaring it a ‘win-win’ for the environment and business, stating that if done correctly, delivering out-of-hours need not represent a nuisance to residents.

The ministerial buy-in that the QDDS trials achieved was not lost on ITD’s Chairman and owner of the transport company H P Therkelsen, Mogens Therkelsen: “We were impressed by the rigorous and scientific nature of the QDDS trials and it was invaluable to learn firsthand how FTA, NAS and the Department for Transport worked together to create fair and meaningful trials. We hope to apply these experiences carefully as we look to do the same in Denmark."

With the Olympics posing all manner of challenges to London’s supply chain next summer, there is also a sense of timeliness underpinning the QDDS. If the question is how can we deliver more freight with less time to do so, the smartest answer could certainly be ’by lifting lorry bans and allowing deliveries to be made at night’.

Clearly there is a strong appetite among the Danes to introduce nighttime delivery trials similar to those which we completed earlier this year. The demonstrable environmental, economic and road safety benefits of delivering goods out-of-hours are hard to ignore and I am sure FTA will be working more closely with Mogen and co. to help them develop a robust methodology that works for them.

More articles from Freight Transport Association: