Testing the deliverEbike concept …

Theoretically, carrying a deliveryEbike aboard a delivery truck makes sense. Parking the truck and using the Ebike to shuttle packages should reduce our dependance on fossil fuels while increasing the delivery company's profit margin.

But how practical is this concept in real-world delivery environments? Experimenting with different implementations and performing field trials is the only way to answer that question. The ultimate goal is to develop and commercialize a more cost-effective electric delivery vehicle.

The project has four phases:
Phase 1: Build protoypes that enable the concept to be field tested.
Phase 2: Define areas of study and test methodologies.
Phase 3: Perform field tests at selected sites.
Phase 4: Solicit and compile advice from a wide range of users

Phase 1: Build prototypes that enable the concept to be field tested.

The first step is to fabricate prototypes that endevour to meet the operational requirements of "Augmented Park & Loop" delivery. Below are a series of Youtube video clips that document deliverEbike's ongoing evolution.

“deliverEbike” brings new meaning to the term “Park and Ride”

In order for this concept to be viable, the delivery truck's Ebike carrier must be ultra-efficient and easy to use. Every second counts when the Ebike is being repeatedly loaded.

The carrier's ease of use will enable the driver to make best use of all three modes of transport at their disposal: driving, walking and riding.

This is version two of the Cargo E-bike Carrying rack.

This is version three of the Cargo E-bike Carrying rack.

An optimal carrying rack is important, and equally important, is the cargo carrying capacity of the Ebike itself. The deliverEbike system therefore includes versatile cargo bins that can be swapped out of the truck as needed.

A collapsible trolley can be removed from the Ebike and used for local delivery .

The bins can be locked to the Ebike with a secure hardshell cover and a vibration alarm permits the Ebike to be left unattended while its rider performs a local "sub-loop" of deliveries on foot.

Prototype of cargo handling system

While using the Ebike for deliveries, frequent stop and start parking cycles may be required. To minimize parking effort and maximize productivity, the deliverEbike prototype utilizes pedal-mounted prop stands.

Watch this video to see the pedal-mounted stands in action.

Second Prototype of the pedal stands

Phase 2: Define areas of study and their methodology.

Click on to read an outline for each area of study.

Productivity
  • Quantify the effect of "Augmented Park and Loop" on the overall efficiency of delivering a package:
    • Use GPS to measure the average speed of a control vehicle (truck only) and compare it to the combined average speed of the deliverEbike (Truck+Ebike) vehicle.
      • In heavy urban traffic, it's quite possible that the "deliverEbike approach" (park the truck and loop on the Ebike) will yield higher average delivery speeds than the truck-only control vehicle.
      • In more free-flowing traffic, the 100 kph truck will obviously yield higher average delivery speeds than the 32 kph Ebike.
    • Overall, any differences in speed may be small enough to be offset by other Ebike efficiencies.
      • For example: in 2000, the New York City DOT determined that "The average speed of cross-town traffic has dropped to 5.2 miles per hour (from 5.6 mph five years ago)." Clearly, in Manhatten, Ebikes such as those used in Europe would be competative with delivery trucks, even without augmenting them with the deliverEbike concept.
    • How well could this concept work in more restrictive Ebike legislative environments than Canada? To assess this variable, the project will deploy a mix of Ebikes.
Cost
  • Fuel Costs:
    • Clearly, every package delivery that's completed on the Ebike instead of the truck will save fuel and those savings can be measured.
    • Since the Ebike is charging whenever it's docked onto the delivery truck, there are some additional energy savings that can be evaluated.
  • Carbon Offsets:
    • World events are leading towards a carbon abatement valuation system in which clean vehicles such as this hybrid delivery system will earn money simply by being used ... the carbon credits it generates will become money in the bank.
    • This Ebike carbon emissions issue is analyzed nicely in this paper and its findings will be used in our cost-benefit projections.
  • Capital Costs:
    • Compare acquisition costs for this "Green Technology" to other options.
  • Parking Costs:
    • Commercial delivery is highly competitive so per-delivery profit margins are very small ... a single $50 parking fine can easily wipe out the profits from hours of delivery work. The Ebike's ability to park for free virtually anywhere is a measurable advantage that needs to be factored into a comprehensive cost analysis.
  • Labour Costs:
    • Measure the time required to perform the extra tasks related to using the Ebike. Interview test riders and try to devise ergonomic improvements that optimize productivity
    • Address the natural tendency of employees to resist new technology ... if drivers aren't enthusiastic about making this Ebike delivery tool work then it definitely won't.
      • One way to generate enthusiasm might be to track each package's mode of delivery and, using funds from the cost savings listed above, pay the driver a per-package bonus for using the Ebike instead of the truck.
Safety
  • Identify potential safety issues and propose strategies for addressing and minimizing them.
    • Routing for safety by using bike paths
    • Visibility of the Ebike in traffic.
    • The effect of cargo on the Ebike's handling.
    • Operator training ... the biggest safety factor!
Operational Scenarios
  • Develop guidelines for optimal route planning:
    • When to use the Ebike versus using the truck ... what's the most efficient delivery spacing for choosing to park the truck and deploy the Ebike to complete deliveries?
    • When to park the Ebike and walk a local delivery loop? (the "augmented" in "Augmented Park & Loop")
    • Weather considerations.
    • How to exploit the entire vehicle for greatest versatility?
      • In theory, a single operator can "do it all": collecting, sorting and delivering. This is an underlying advantage of the conventional Park and Loop methodology and the availablity of the Ebike may increase those potential productivity gains.
Mechanical Aides
  • Develop mechanical aides to facilitate the deliverEbike concept:
    • Optimize loading and unloading the Ebike onto the truck
      • Roll-on roll-off designs
    • Optimize the Ebike's cargo carrying capacity
      • Detachable cargo bins
      • Trailers
    • Optimize the Ebike's short-term parking capabilities
      • For use in stop/start door-to-door delivery scenarios
IT Aides
  • Develop an appropriate decision support aide that makes it easier for the driver to assess when and where the Ebike should be deployed:
Energy and Carbon Impact
  • The deliverEbike concept effectively electrifies an existing fleet of delivery trucks:
    • A comprehensive energy analysis must therefore include the energy needed to manufacture a fleet of newly engineered electric trucks.

Public Relations Benefits
  • What's the business effect of the goodwill generated for a delivery company that's conspicuously trying to use green technology ... even when it's not in use, the Ebike rides on the back of the truck for all to see.
    • To what extent will potential customers prefer to give their business to a company that arrives at their door on a deliverEbike?

Integration of Findings
  • Carrying an onboard Ebike adds complexity to the delivery system. The status quo (driving and walking) is simpler both in terms of capital equipment and the skill needed to make best use of it. On the face of it, this added complexity might rule out the viability of the deliverEbike concept, however there are several mitigating factors that make implementation worthwhile:
    • The capital cost of implementing this methodology is modest.
    • The use of the Ebike is optional at all times ... even if it is only deployed a small percentage fo the time, it will still provide a net productivity gain.
    • Reducing oil dependance, polution and congestion are worthy goals.
Test Sites

    In order to obtain as much useful information as possible, a variety of delivery scenarios and test sites should be included in this project.  Candidate test sites include:

    • General Postal Delivery:
      • Canada Post
      • USPS
      • European postal services

    • Courier Services:
      • DHL
      • FedEx
      • Purolator
      • UPS

    • Smaller delivery companies:
      • Bike couriers looking to expand their traditional services
      • Mom & Pop local delivery companies

    • Other delivery services that might benefit from deliverEbike:
      • Door-to-door newspaper or flyer delivery
      • Fastfood delivery
      • Grocery delivery

    • Other potential commercial users:
      • Service technicians or trades people who operate in high density urban areas.
      • Police or other emergency services that require mobility and equipment

    • Other potential non-commercial users:
      • Suburbanites who can drive into the city, park their SUV and then run their errands on the Ebike
      • Vacationers who can bring an Ebike on their trip and use it for local transport





Phase 3: Perform field tests at selected sites.

If you're interested in hosting a test session, please apply through the feedback form.

Phase 4: Solicit and compile advice from a wide range of users.

Please use the feedback form.