US–Sweden Knowledge Exchange for Connected Urban Freight Solutions

The US–Sweden Knowledge Exchange for Connected Urban Freight Solutions brings together the cities of Portland, Seattle, Gothenburg, and Helsingborg to address shared challenges in urban freight and last-mile logistics. The project establishes a structured transatlantic exchange around how cities can make urban deliveries cleaner, smarter, and more efficient through data-driven and connected solutions.

oth countries are facing similar challenges — the rapid growth of light goods vehicles (LGVs) for e-commerce deliveries is increasing congestion, emissions, and inefficiency in city centers. In response, cities in both Sweden and the United States are developing and testing innovative approaches to curb management, zero-emission delivery, and automation.

Innovative city pilots

• Portland, Oregon is piloting a Zero-Emission Delivery Zone (ZEDZ) in its downtown area, funded by a USDOT SMART grant. The project uses the Curb Data Specification (CDS) to digitize curb regulations, installs sensors to monitor usage, prioritizes loading zones for zero-emission vehicles, and promotes the use of e-cargo bikes through micro-delivery hubs.
   
• Helsingborg, Sweden is exploring autonomous “community robots” that serve as mobile delivery points. Developed in collaboration with Apotea, Best Transport, and VTI, this concept blends the convenience of home delivery with the efficiency of parcel lockers — with the potential to reduce delivery van traffic by up to 67%.
   
• Gothenburg, Sweden is developing a system for Efficient Loading Zones in the Vallgraven area, optimizing urban curb space through real-time and historical data sharing between transport operators. Their experience provides valuable insights into alternative approaches for digital curb management.

Together, these pilots demonstrate different paths toward shared, electric, and connected freight solutions — with standardized data formats such as MDS (Mobility Data Specification) and CDS (Curb Data Specification) forming a common thread. By applying these standards, cities can better coordinate deliveries, manage public space dynamically, and collect evidence for more sustainable urban logistics.

Project activities

Originally centered around Portland and Helsingborg, the project has expanded its scope to include Gothenburg and Seattle, broadening the range of perspectives and experiences in sustainable freight innovation. 

What has the project done so far? 

A joint study visit to the United States — took place in October 2025 — includes both Portland and Seattle, offering Swedish participants firsthand insights into American initiatives in curbside management and data-driven logistics.

To further deepen the exchange, the project will host and plan several knowledge-sharing activities:

• November 2025: A webinar on autonomous delivery robots in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, project partners, and the City of Stockholm.
   
• December 2025: A Lunch & Learn session with Future Mobility & Drive Sweden, is scheduled to share results and lessons learned.
   
• Continuous participation in the Open Mobility Foundation’s working groups on CDS and MDS standards, ensuring ongoing alignment with international best practices.

Expected results

The project will summarize and communicate its key findings through reports and webinars, highlighting:

• Comparative lessons from Portland, Seattle, Helsingborg, and Gothenburg.
• An initial evaluation of how standardized data formats (MDS and CDS) have been applied in different contexts and their potential for improving logistics efficiency.
• Recommendations for how Swedish cities can integrate data-driven curb management into their future zero-emission and autonomous delivery initiatives.
• Potential opportunities for future joint research and pilot projects between Sweden and the United States.

Partners

Sweden

• VTI (Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute) – Research expertise in data standards and autonomous delivery systems.
• City of Helsingborg – Testing innovative last-mile delivery solutions using autonomous robots.
• City of Gothenburg – Developing real-time loading zone management systems for more efficient curb use.
• Nivel – Providing technical expertise in digital mobility platforms and data standard implementation.

United States

• Open Mobility Foundation – Steward of MDS and CDS standards, connecting international stakeholders and supporting their implementation.
• City of Portland – Running a Zero-Emission Delivery Zone pilot with micro-hubs and e-cargo bikes.
• City of Seattle – Exploring advanced curbside management and freight optimization strategies.

Through this collaboration, the project strengthens international ties and creates a foundation for continued innovation in shared, electric, and connected urban freight solutions — supporting more sustainable cities on both sides of the Atlantic.