A Centre of Excellence for freight in urban transport
“The fundamental quest of the Center for Sustainable Urban Freight Systems is one of behavior modification: to change the idea of urban freight systems from one driven by profit maximization to one that accounts for the externalities produced," said Holguín-Veras, also the director of the Center for Infrastructure, Transportation, and the Environment within the Rensselaer School of Engineering. “Our research team will use technology, public policy, and proactive engagement of the private sector as building blocks to design and implement actionable strategies to transform and push forward the leading edge of urban freight systems."
The Sustainable Urban Freight Systems (SUFS) is a collaboration of the world´s six leading urban freight research groups forming the Core Research Partners to collectively transform urban freight systems and partner with a City Advisory Board, an Industry Advisory Group and Associate Research Centers.
Transforming the Urban Freight Systems (UFS) requires a global effort of research, capacity building, and institutional change, best done in collaboration with other agents of change.
The goal is to jumpstart an integrative and participatory process — involving cities, private sector, and researchers — that leads to the implementation of sustainable UFS paradigms that increase quality of life, economic efficiency, and address environ-mental justice. Such a holistic goal ensures that all key impacts are considered, as focusing on only one aspect could make things worse in the others.
The fundamental quest of SUFS is to change the course of the UFS from one driven by profit maximization to one that accounts for the externalities produced. The work will proceed along four thrusts:
Host organisation:
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Invitation to submit an Expression of interest Pdf, 457 kB. (Pdf, 457 kB)
Deadline: 1 October 2022
- Fourth Call for Research Proposals Pdf, 1.3 MB. (Pdf, 1.3 MB)
Deadline: 1 September 2022
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- Catalysing Curriculum Change at Universities in SSA 2022 Pdf, 1.3 MB. (Pdf, 1.3 MB)
Deadline extended to 1 Nov. 2022
Deadline: 31 October 2022
MOBILITY GRANT 2022- MAC-MG 2022 Pdf, 447.1 kB. (Pdf, 447.1 kB)
Deadline: 31 October 2022
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About VREF
The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) inspires, initiates and supports research and educational activities through the Future Urban Transport Programme - How to deal with the complexity of urban transport (FUT).
Our Vision: Sustainable transport for equitable access in urban areas
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