Urban Consolidation Centers (UCCs) in Bangkok: Driving Green City Aspirations and Addressing Urban Challenges

The Problem

Rapid urbanization in Bangkok and its surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), which includes five neighboring provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Nakhon Pathom, has led to significant environmental and logistical challenges. As Thailand’s primate city, Bangkok dominates the country’s economy and transportation systems, concentrating industries, businesses, and nearly 16 million people in a way that strains infrastructure. Inefficient urban logistics worsen traffic congestion, pollution, and rising costs, with freight transportation playing a major role. With 57 percent of the global population living in cities, urban areas like Bangkok consume 78 percent of the world’s energy and contribute over 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The rise of e-commerce has further intensified freight demand, increasing delivery vehicles on already congested roads and worsening air pollution, particularly from diesel trucks. These inefficiencies not only drive up business costs and emissions but also disproportionately affect low-income communities, which suffer from pollution exposure and reduced mobility. Without strategic interventions, Bangkok’s logistics problems will continue to undermine its sustainability goals, economic equity, and overall quality of life.

To address these challenges, Thailand’s 20-Year National Transport and Mobility Strategy aims to transform Bangkok into a Green City by improving urban logistics and reducing environmental impacts. One proposed solution is the implementation of Urban Consolidation Centers (UCCs), which are designed to streamline freight distribution and reduce congestion. However, the gap between UCC services and actual customer needs remains a major barrier to their success. Limited customer data, fragmented logistics operations, and the rapid expansion of urban areas have hindered targeted solutions. Without strategic interventions, Bangkok risks falling short of its sustainability goals, including reducing urban greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent and lowering logistics costs relative to GDP by 11.9 percent by 2036. Addressing these gaps requires innovative approaches that align urban freight systems with the realities of Bangkok’s complex and evolving metropolitan landscape.

The Opportunity

Recognizing these challenges, the Logistics Technology and Transportation Management Department at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok (RMUTTO) has proactively explored the potential of UCCs to address urban distribution issues. UCCs consolidate freight deliveries, reducing emissions, traffic congestion, and noise while optimizing logistics operations. This initiative aligns with Thailand’s national targets, including a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and an increase in the use of renewable energy. By integrating UCCs into Bangkok’s urban planning, the project seeks to bridge the gap between green city aspirations and customer needs while ensuring that logistics solutions are data-driven and responsive to rapid urbanization.

In addition to its role in shaping sustainable urban logistics, RMUTTO has the opportunity to adopt the EPIC Model and become part of the EPIC-Network (EPIC-N). The EPIC Model (Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities) provides a structured approach for universities to collaborate with cities and government agencies in solving real-world challenges.

Collaboration with government agencies is central to the success of this initiative. The Ministry of Transport, the Department of Land Transport (DLT), and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are key partners in advancing urban freight policies. These agencies provide regulatory support, data access, and policy frameworks that enable the effective implementation of UCCs. Expanding partnerships with local governments in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) can help facilitate the development of urban freight zones, optimize delivery routes, and integrate innovative logistics technologies. By working closely with policymakers, RMUTTO can contribute to the national conversation on sustainable mobility and play a leading role in urban freight transformation in Thailand.

The Partnership

A collaborative effort between RMUTTO, the Ministry of Transport, and local governments within the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) aims to improve urban transportation infrastructure and sustainability. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) oversees and manages UCCs, ensuring their alignment with Thailand’s transport and logistics strategies. The government has committed to reducing freight transport emissions and enhancing logistics efficiency by promoting sustainable urban freight solutions.

RMUTTO has taken the lead in researching and developing innovative logistics solutions, while the Ministry of Transport provides strategic direction and policy support. Students from RMUTTO had the opportunity to engage directly with the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok, conducting field visits to UCCs, analyzing operational challenges, and developing recommendations for improvement. These interactions provided students with hands-on experience while offering insights to government stakeholders on optimizing UCC operations.

As part of their coursework, students in courses such as Introduction to Supply Chain Management, Strategic Supply Chain Management, Business Plan for Logistics Service Business, and Warehouse and Distribution Center Management were actively involved. Students’ projects focused on evaluating UCC performance, identifying barriers to adoption, and designing innovative logistics strategies. Students also participated in competitions, applying their knowledge to propose real-world solutions in collaboration with government agencies and logistics service providers.

The Result

Preliminary findings from the project indicated that UCCs have the potential to reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions and logistics costs significantly. By consolidating freight deliveries, UCCs can decrease the number of vehicles on the road, leading to lower emissions and reduced traffic congestion. Additionally, the project has highlighted the importance of customer-centric approaches in designing UCC services, ensuring they meet the needs of businesses and residents alike.

The initiative also encouraged students from RMUTTO to engage in hands-on learning experiences, produce innovative content, and share their insights at international conferences. Students actively documented their progress on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, expanding the reach of their work and engaging a broader audience. These efforts have not only advanced the project’s goals but also equipped the next generation of logistics professionals with the skills and knowledge to drive sustainable urban development.

As part of their coursework, students conducted field research, interviews, and analyses to support government agencies in enhancing UCC operations. One of the key contributions was the Interviews of Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), where students examined the perspectives of LSPs operating within Bangkok’s freight and transport networks. Their research assessed operational challenges, efficiency bottlenecks, and the potential improvements required for successful UCC implementation. The findings identified key barriers, such as cost concerns, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of digital tracking systems, while also outlining service expectations from UCCs, including enhanced security, improved last-mile delivery efficiency, and cost-effective storage solutions.

The compiled students’ works were submitted to the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and other local government agencies, contributing to ongoing discussions on UCC policy development and urban freight logistics improvements. By integrating student research with government planning, this initiative strengthened collaboration between academia, industry, and public-sector stakeholders, reinforcing the role of UCCs in aligning Thailand’s sustainability goals with real-world urban logistics needs.

The project also extended to Bangkok’s truck terminals, which play a critical role in the city’s freight distribution network. Students analyzed traffic flow, service efficiency, and infrastructure management at these terminals, providing insights into how truck terminals can complement UCCs to create a more integrated and sustainable urban logistics system. The findings emphasized the need for improved logistics coordination, enhanced land-use planning, and digital integration for real-time tracking and load optimization.

Faculty members at RMUTTO are committed to continuing research on UCCs and expanding the project’s impact. Lecturers, particularly Dr. Kanyarat Nimtrakool, have tailored course syllabi to align with the EPIC Model, ensuring that urban freight challenges remain a key focus in future logistics and transportation studies.

Partnership Contact Information

Logistics Technology and Transportation Management
Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok
Dr. Kanyarat Nimtrakool

kanyarat_ni@rmutto.ac.th

Written by: Jonathan Kroeze
Edited by: Kay Phanthuwongpak