Environmentally friendly delivery of goods in pedestrian zone in city centre of Maribor

Before 2018 the delivery system in the pedestrian zone in the City of Maribor enabled the courier expresses companies to enter during the whole day to deliver goods to retailers and restaurants. Motorized delivery vans were circulating in the pedestrian zone to deliver goods to retailers, restaurants, and bars mainly between 09.00 and 16.00, when most of pedestrians were visiting or crossing the pedestrian area. Pedestrians complained about bad air quality and insufficient safety in the pedestrian zone, so the city administration identified issues related to urban freight which were systematically addressed during RESOLVE project. A working group with stakeholders - delivery companies, retailers and restaurant owners was set to learn from each other during the process of identifying problems of delivery in pedestrian zone.

The municipal administration prepared a new ordinance defining last mile deliveries in the pedestrian zone. E-vehicles and newly marked loading bays on routes entering pedestrian zone were introduced. Courier express companies were obliged to purchase e-vehicles to enter the pedestrian zone for delivery after 10.00 am. Now, delivery vehicles may drive into closed pedestrian areas to carry out a courier-delivery activity with a maximum of one vehicle electrically powered. One permit per delivery company is issued to avoid too many e-vans circulating at once in the pedestrian area. Retailers are encouraged to plan the delivery in a more efficient way.