Construction Logistics Plan

Implementing sustainable mobility

Until 2020, the area around Utrecht central station will be fundamentally reconstructed and infrastructure will be improved. The city and the progress of the construction works will be impacted by the traffic from the works. In response to this challenge, Utrecht takes a coordinated approach to avoid peaks in demand and spread traffic throughout the day.

The main objectives of the measure are to develop an elaborated and innovative construction logistics plan that will:
>> Increase the efficiency of city centre construction works;
>> Decrease the disruption of the urban transport system from construction works traffic;
>> Increase the efficiency of constructions traffic; and
>> Decrease the impact of construction works traffic on the environment.

Utrecht aims to reach an agreement between the municipality and private construction and transport firms on the organisation of construction works traffic. In the past, efforts to optimise urban construction logistics have been limited to one principal company involved. Utrecht now faces a situation where multiple companies operate in the same restricted space. A high level of coordination is therefore vital. Utrecht will research, establish and implement a construction logistics plan. Moreover, the city strives to develop a central buffer zone and parking spaces for construction vehicles, which may even be extended to a full-fledged construction logistics consolidation centre.

How is the measure progressing

The first phase of the measure consisted of research and design. Utrecht carried out a market consultation with project developers and construction firms examining the viability of a buffer site and a construction logistics consolidation centre. Ideas for two possible locations were translated into concepts for implementation. The space of an existing distribution centre is being used as a central buffer zone – a solution that is both time- and cost-effective.

A construction logistics plan has been finalised and implementation has started with the establishment of a construction logistics centre (CLC) near Utrecht central station. The construction companies have agreed to deliver their materials to the CLC, where they can be bundled and brought to the construction site. The CLC is open 24/7 and has storage capacity.

4D-planning software has been developed that draws on geographic information systems and construction work databases to visualise and analyse construction logistics and traffic circulation in a certain area, as well as general accessibility of the city. The resulting maps specify a construction logistics and traffic circulation action plan per area and time slots for all stakeholders. The Central Station Area Project (POS) ran a first testing phase of the software in 2010.

Utrecht will continue to encourage more construction companies to join the CLC throughout 2011 and 2012. In the second half of 2011, a large new music centre will be completed next to the central station. In this phase, smaller materials will be needed, which are well-suited for bundling in the CLC. The city is also eager to gain more experience with the 4D-planning programme and works on an evaluation of the software. In addition, Utrecht will look into possibilities to amend legislation so that the benefits of construction logistics planning for transport and construction companies can be augmented.

What are the expected results of the measure

Utrecht expects from this measure to limit disruption from construction works. Utrecht projects:

>> Construction works road traffic to be 20 percent lower than estimated beforehand based on model calculations and measurements;
>> More balanced  construction works traffic than estimated beforehand; and
>> A swift and smooth construction process according to expert judgement by the companies involved.

Contact: Gerard Verrijn Stuart