18. Oct 2021
© Hörmandinger
UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES BFI VIENNA

Delivering cutting-edge research

Vienna's first WienBox opened on Stiftgasse in the city's Neubau district at the start of July. Launched by Wiener Stadtwerke, WienBox is an innovative partner-based network of parcel lockers and pick-up points. The aim is to establish a comprehensive system of public locker stations in Vienna in collaboration with logistics partners and locker operators. Available to everyone living in the city, these lockers make an important contribution to climate and environmental protection. UAS BFI Vienna is carrying out research for the project.

A team of researchers from the Logistics and Transport Management degree programme will regularly analyse use of the WienBox stations. Specifically, over the next two years they will look at the forms and frequency of use, and examine the user structure. The researchers will apply a mixed approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methods, and degree programme students will also be involved in the research. By contributing to the field research, they have the opportunity to gain practical experience, as well as playing a part in developing logistics solutions for the future.

Pioneering, eco-friendly parcel logistics

The WienBox concept is an important interdisciplinary initiative in city logistics. It is also the only project of its kind in Europe. A locker system that is available to everyone around the clock will generate benefits for both customers and retailers in the capital. A dense network of locations is an environmentally friendly alternative to home delivery – it helps to shorten transport routes, easing the burden on transport infrastructure and reducing CO2 emissions in the process.

Launched in summer 2021 in cooperation with numerous partners, the WienBox network started with more than 7,000 lockers spread across 200 locations. The plan is to open another ten stations by the end of this year. An initial evaluation by UAS BFI Vienna researchers generated recommendations on where to position 30 new stations which are planned for various locations and due to be installed by the end of 2023.