Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Advanced food logistics and delivery solutions
Coordinator
New local and urban logistics solutions for the distribution of agri-food products. Local distribution and last-mile deliveries are addressed to significantly impact on sustainability. Logistics solutions may regard the development of new distribution networks (e.g., by introducing local hubs), the employment of specific last- mile delivery solutions (e.g., parcel lockers), and the introduction of digital solutions (e.g., platforms as virtual markets for local agricultural products) (in connection with Spokes 1 and 7).
Innovative solutions to improve sustainability of local urban distribution (M21).
Analysis of the impacts of the most promising innovative solutions to improve the sustainability of local urban distribution (M36).
The spread of the coronavirus, the lockdown and the following social distances measures have dramatically hit several industries and economic sectors. In particular restaurants as well as the public establishments are among those most affected by the crisis.
In this situation there’s been an unprecedented growth spike in the online food and delivery industry. The sector was growing rapidly also before the COVID-19 crisis. In 2019 about 19 million of consumers have consumed at home food ordered by restaurants and pizzerias, the sector has recorded a growth rate of 56%, during the last 3 years.
Despite the rapid spread the sector is still little regulated in terms of food safety issues. Some of the main risks associated with delivery are: 1) deliverers often mix without control measures products with different allergens 2) storing food in unsafe temperatures; 3) improper transport conditions 4) deliverers can be easily get in contact with the products and the packaging materials increasing the possibility of food manipulations and contaminations.
Development of new logistic model of specific last mile solutions for a sustainable and secure delivery in the ho.re.ca sector and the hospitality industry. The research activity will acquire new knowledge necessary to develop a proof of concept of a new technological platform that will include innovative delivery procedures and processes, tools and devices equipped with IoT capable of reducing food spoilage while assuring the highest hygiene and security level. A POC of delivery box will be developed, based on TCA past experiences, equipped with useful sensors and connected to the new platform to monitor and control the delivery and the impact will be evaluated.
The development of a POC “last mile delivery platform” is expected consisting of three layers:
1. Logistic model for last mile solution considering operational processes and constrain
2. POC of hardware system consisting of a smart box with IOT smart locker and IOT sensors to prevent unauthorized access to food and ensure monitoring of transport conditions
3. POC of software platform that connects all actors along the supply chain, from the food producer (who can schedule delivery when the order is completed) to the consumer (who receives delivery tracking data and unlock instructions)
4. Analysis of the impacts of the new solutions
