SENATOR

MDST was part of a pan-European consortium that was selected to carry out research and then develop an IT system (the SENATOR Platform) to increase the efficiency of “last mile” urban logistics - particularly through collaboration between operators.  MDST’s role was to provide advice to the pan-European project consortium on economic and commercial issues as Leader of the Business Models Work Package.  

• Carried out analysis of the business environment (market, policy, legal aspects) throughout the project
• Provided advice on the economics of urban consolidation centres
• Developed generic modal cost models for use in the optimisation model  
  
• Developed a methodology to quantify the user and non-user benefits available to logistics companies and wider society from use of the SENATOR Platform
  
• As Chair of the Exploitation Board for the project, developed an Exploitation Strategy and IPR Strategy for the project and its partners
  
• Drafted a Business Plan for “SENATOR Inc” which could take the platform forward as a commercial opportunity.

The SENATOR Platform was shown to have potential as a tool to facilitate some improvements in the efficiency of urban logistics and therefore reduce costs for logistics providers and reduce carbon emissions for society as a whole.