Information Sharing in Last Mile Distribution: Lessons Learned from a Pilot in Oslo

This chapter present experiences from a demonstration of improved last mile deliveries to a shopping center in Oslo, Norway. It focuses on STRAIGHTSOL demonstration that took place in Oslo in 2012 and is organized by GS1 Norway. The demonstration shows how automatic data capturing enabled by proven and new technology solutions in the value chain may contribute to more efficient and predictable deliveries for the consignee, as well as shorter waiting, delivery and loading times. The chapter introduces the problem setting for which the demonstration was developed, and presents the GS1 Norway demonstration. The main effects of the demonstration are also presented. The solution was combined with a buffer storage solution at the shopping center, so that the truck driver did not have to bring the pallets to the individual stores. There are obvious economies of scale, and the benefits seem to compensate for the costs of the solution.