The Institute of Technical Logistics at Graz University of Technology has initiated the SoWAS ("Scalable Open Goods Exchange System") project together with the City of Graz (Department of Transport Planning), KEBA AG, Prime Software GmbH and the Institute of Road and Transportation Engineering at Graz University of Technology. This is intended to improve the so-called "last mile" through the optimized use of parcel systems.

First "openly usable" parcel station
The central element is a parcel station operated by implementation partner A1, which - unlike current systems - can be used by all courier, express and parcel services (CEP services), businesses and private individuals, regardless of the provider. "Our model picks up on the trend towards the 'sharing economy' and is available around the clock (24/7) to logistics service providers and private individuals alike. We want to reduce delivery and collection routes and have a positive impact on city traffic and the urban environment," explains project manager Norbert Hafner from the Institute of Technical Logistics at TU Graz, who summarizes the advantages for all parties involved: "Delivery services no longer have to stand in front of locked apartment doors, and there is no need to search for a parking space. Businesses can leave goods and items for collection outside of business hours. Private individuals can arrange their own time and pick up the parcel on the way to work, on the way home or in between."

Graz premiere for new system
The parcel station will go into operation in January 2020: In the outdoor area of TU Graz's Campus Neue Technik, and therefore also easily accessible by public transport. By the end of the year, the researchers will evaluate the positive effects of the system on mobility behavior, the environment and traffic. The project results will serve as a basis for the further expansion of the parcel box network in Graz and can subsequently be transferred to other cities.

The research project is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) as part of the "Mobility of the Future - Focus on Freight Mobility" program. Together with the Graz MobLab (Mobility Lab), with which the city of Graz is developing new city logistics projects, the aim is to rapidly expand the locations and user areas.