Transportation & Distribution

Data Sharing Between Commuters and City Government May Be Growing Trend

October 21, 2016

Digital mapping company Esri has announced a partnership with crowdsourcing traffic app maker Waze to help city governments and drivers communicate more efficiently about traffic conditions, including construction delays and accidents. By using Esri ArcGIS (geographic information system) software to connect to a new Waze connected citizens program, cities can share data about the conditions of their roads with drivers, while drivers can anonymously report accidents, potholes and other road condition information.

DB Schenker, Lufthansa Reportedly Halfway to 2020 Emissions Reduction Target

October 21, 2016

Air Cargo World

A five-year plan from Lufthansa Cargo and logistics provider DB Schenker to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is on track to meet its goal of reducing 20,000 tonnes of CO2 output by 2020, both companies say. To date, Lufthansa and Schenker have reduced their CO2 output by more than 10,000 tonnes, combined, under their joint Carbon Reduction Agreement.

New Grocery Route Optimization Fulfills in 24 Hours, Lancaster Organics Reports

October 20, 2016

RIS News

Lancaster Farm Fresh Organics (LFFO) has streamlined its previously manual fleet operations to help get product in and out of the warehouse and into the customer's hand in 24 hours or less, said Ben Kreider, the retailer's transportation director. LFFO uses the Descartes Route Planner.

Nordstrom, Costco, UPS Join Last-Mile Delivery Study in Seattle

October 19, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

In the heart of Amazon country, Nordstrom, Costco and UPS have joined with a team from the University of Washington in Seattle to study solutions to last-mile delivery issues in urban areas. UW's Urban Freight Lab will explore high-impact, low-cost solutions in urban areas where delivery vehicles, bicycles, cars and pedestrians all have to coexist, according to the university.

Fill-Air Flow Wants to Bring Inflatable Plastic to Small Businesses, Designer Says

October 19, 2016

BloombergBusinessweek

Forget packing peanuts, it's all about the air cushion, says John Wolf, vice president for global sector marketing at Sealed Air and the inventor of bubble wrap. Fill-Air Flow is a device the size of a paper-towel dispenser that creates clear plastic air cushions - a cheaper, sleeker alternative to packing peanuts and the like - at a scale designed to be affordable for small businesses, Wolf says.

Drone Company Launches Healthcare Delivery Service in Rwanda

October 19, 2016

Supply Management

A drone service delivering blood for transfusions has been launched by the president of Rwanda. The drones are expected to make between 50 and 150 life-saving deliveries a day to remote and inaccessible clinics across the western half of the country, according to Zipline, the company behind the technology.

India's Major Ports See Container Boost, Analysis Shows

October 19, 2016

Maritime Executive

Container volumes at India's major ports increased by 6.32 percent over last year in the first half of this financial year through September, according to the Journal of Commerce. The 12 ports together handled 4.35 million TEUs in the first half, up from 4.09 million TEUs over the same time last year.

Miami International Announces Ocean-to-Air Shipment Program

October 19, 2016

Air Cargo World

Miami International Airport will soon receive perishable freight imports by sea and load it aboard international flights, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture - making it the first airport in Florida to handle ocean-to-air transshipment. The airport announced that the shipments should start by the end of 2016.

Domino's Pizza: Instant Action Is Key to Omnichannel Success

October 18, 2016

RIS News

As ordering and fulfillment models go, there isn't much more basic a concept than pizza delivery. Pick up the phone, place your order, and a driver brings the pie to your door. Simple, right? Wrong.

UK-China Flights Expected to Double, Officials Say

October 18, 2016

Supply Management

The UK and Chinese governments have agreed to more than double the number of passenger flights allowed to operate between the two countries, according to transport secretary Chris Grayling.