Öffi-Packerl starts: environmentally friendly parcel delivery with Bim!

Öffi-Packerl starts: environmentally friendly parcel delivery with Bim!

The “Öffi-Packerl” pilot project will start in Vienna on March 31, 2025, which pursues an innovative approach to reducing delivery traffic and the associated traffic jams in urban areas. The project by Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) is funded by Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH in collaboration with the Vienna University of Technology and the Österreichische Post AG. As part of the test operation, 150 passengers will actively participate.

The test area focuses on the north of Vienna, particularly at the Donauspital, Konstanziagasse (line 25) and Hausfeldstraße (line 26) stops. A special parcel box will be installed at the Kagran stop to enable the transport of parcels on the trams. The parcel box uses solar-powered technology, which also makes the project environmentally friendly.

Environmentally friendly transport

Participating passengers can use the “Öffi-Packerl” app to query routes and transport their packages in an environmentally friendly way. The packages may not exceed a maximum length of 50 cm and a weight of 5 kg. According to a feasibility study conducted in 2021, 90% of public transport users support package transport, while 65% are willing to actively transport packages.

This initiative comes at a time when demand for mobility in urban areas is surging post-pandemic. A forecast of the International Transport Forum (ITF) The OECD points out that traffic volumes could more than double by 2050. Emissions in the transport sector could rise by 16%, even if all current climate protection commitments are met, highlighting the urgency of sustainable transport solutions.

Integration of local public transport and logistics

In addition to urban transport, the “Öffi-Packerl” concept also aims to expand to rural regions. The app plays a central role in this as it allows users to find suitable packages based on their commute routes. The collaboration between Fraunhofer Austria, Wiener Linien and other partners aims to analyze passenger flows and identify suitable tram lines and parcel stations.

In the context of increasing online commerce, which is leading to an increase in parcel deliveries - currently carried out primarily by delivery vans - the crowdsourcing delivery approach is becoming increasingly important. Passengers act as a means of transport between parcel stations and thus help reduce traffic volume. According to the ITF forecast, emission reduction measures could contribute up to 72% to reducing emissions through better coordination of supply chains and the use of alternative drives.

With a clear focus on sustainability and the integration of local public transport into parcel logistics, the “Öffi-Packerl” project offers a promising approach to making mobility in urban areas more efficient and environmentally friendly - a step in the right direction in times of increasing mobility demand and environmental challenges.