Innovative construction logistics

An urban development project the size of Stockholm Royal Seaport involves a large number of actors, (developers, contractors, transporters, material suppliers etc), having access to worksites. It also involves the transport of a large amount of building materials, mechanical equipment, and construction waste to and from construction sites.

A 2011 study highlighted the advantages of centralised construction logistics management through a logistics centre. Beyond reducing the environmental impact of transport and deliveries, this approach could minimise material shortages, waste and theft. The system would also enhance site safety, creating a better working environment for construction workers. The review also showed that well-organised logistics could also offer opportunities for developers to dramatically reduce production costs.

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project is to develop a concept for a Construction Consolidation Centre that co-ordinates and optimises logistics assets in Stockholm Royal Seaport. The goal is to co-ordinate and co-load all truck journeys to and from construction sites.

Results and experiences

The facility consists of a moisture-protected indoor warehouse, a weather-protected outdoor warehouse, a waste facility, and a site office. In addition to the co-ordination of material deliveries, the centre also provides services such as joint shell protection, co-ordinated waste management, site information, co-loading, project phase co-ordination, and year-round street cleaning.

The selected business model established City of Stockholm ownership of the facility, with operational management assigned to an external operator. The operator was procured through a competitive dialogue, i.e. the procurement process began with an open inquiry for proposals on how the facility should be operated. The bids were then developed through a dialogue.

The Construction Consolidation Centre began operations in 2013 and since then has contributed to reducing the number of transports in the area by 30 to 40 per cent. The working environment also improved due to loading and unloading being organised. The centre reports statistics back to developers and contractors, which drive development in workplace logistics, waste management, and other areas. Co-ordination of waste management for each construction site reduces the number of transports to and from the co-ordinated waste management site where waste is co-loaded. Waste transports have been reduced by 50 per cent compared to conventional construction projects. Vehicles that handle building materials and waste use renewable fuels such as HVO100.

The Construction Consolidation Centre is funded by sign up fees and payment for work carried out. Revenue is generated from the City of Stockholm’s own activities, developers, and contractors. The business model is designed to share costs between developers and contractors to create incentives for participation in the Construction Consolidation Centre and to influence costs during the implementation of the project. The model also supports the management of building materials. One example is to increase co-loading by making the scheduled collection service free of charge, while direct access to the construction site incurs a fee.

The Construction Consolidation Centre's warehouse management system enables future systematic reuse of unused new building materials from Stockholm Royal Seaport construction projects.

Since 2013, the Construction Consolidation Centre has trained professionals and employees about sustainability. A digital learning platform for self-study was introduced in 2020, enhancing both the efficiency and quality of training delivery. Everyone on site needs to have an ID06 authorisation and the training is linked to ID06.

The Construction Consolidation Centre initiated a building materials reuse service during 2023.

Innovations developed within the Construction Consolidation Centre

Gate and transport booking system

The Construction Consolidation Centre makes use of automatic gates that are installed at the entrances of all construction areas. The gates are monitored and can only be opened by authorised personnel. Construction transports can thus be directed to the right unloading sites at the right times. Using the gate system, it is also possible to the register the environmental class of vehicles that enter worksites. Vehicle registration numbers are linked to the Swedish Transport Agency's database, retrieving information about vehicle type, fuel consumption and mileage. Today, there are 25 gates throughout the area with this functionality.

Delivery containers enabling flexible deliveries outside standard working hours.

Off-peak deliveries, (deliveries outside normal working hours), are being made for warehouse operations throughout 2021. The idea is to reduce transports made in rush hour traffic and facilitate more flexible working hours for transport activities.

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