GUEST COMMENT How to navigate logistical hurdles amidst Paris Olympics

With the international sporting event in Paris right around the corner, there’s no surprise that the eyes of the sporting world are well and truly locked on Paris. However, one thing fans might not realise is the impact such a large event has on the host country’s infrastructure, daily life and businesses.

To accommodate the millions of spectators and thousands of athletes and their teams, many changes are currently underway to Paris’s infrastructure and roadways in the way of new facilities, detours, routes and more. Even though hosting the global athletic competition has many benefits, it may pose a few challenges for the transportation industry if it fails to prepare accordingly.

Philipp Pfister, chief customer experience officer at Transporeon, explores how the event will impact transportation and logistics within the UK and France, and how companies can successfully navigate the quadrennial athletics competition in Paris this year.

The Effects On Transportation
As France prepares for the event, logistics firms are adapting to move both people and goods throughout the country for several months before and after the event. Further, no schedule has been established for when temporary construction and diverted traffic will be removed, and the assembly process for local infrastructure is still ongoing.

With that in mind, it’s clear that three of the most important elements of any successful logistics operation are planning, communication and flexibility. 

One of the foremost challenges that many may not consider is the increased strain on transportation networks as a result of increased population and construction. And with 35 venues around 185 km of Paris’s roads exclusively reserved for athletes, officials, and journalists, navigating the city’s large and crowded streets will pose a challenge to traffic and route planning. In addition to congestion and delays associated with more pedestrians crowding streets and roads, local transportation systems are expected to be overwhelmed due to increased pedestrian traffic.

The Value of  using a Transportation Management Platform
Assuming that the international sporting event will only impact movement in and around Paris during the weeks they are taking place is unrealistic. In fact, the athletic competition will be held in 58% of existing venues and 38% of temporary venues, meaning the setup and dismantling periods of those temporary venues will adversely affect logistics businesses for months before and after the event. 

To mitigate these challenges, shippers and carriers must now be looking to navigate the disruptions brought on not just by the international sports festival, but in general. 

Technology that guides and manoeuvres drivers through complex routes while also accounting for changing road conditions is vital. 

One way for transport and logistics companies to do this is to switch to an innovative Transportation Management Platform, which can optimise businesses route planning, in real time by accommodating road closures, construction and increased levels of traffic in a bid to reduce delays. As well as this, a smart platform can reduce downtime for businesses by aiding resource management of personnel and vehicles. This is completed through distributing transportation loads evenly across available routes and times, which avoid heavily congested areas.  

Enhanced visibility is achieved through real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments and vehicles, providing greater visibility and allowing for proactive management of any issues, along with performance metrics that help firms identify areas for improvement and optimise their operations.

Conclusion
It is possible for logistics firms to navigate the complexities surrounding the global athletic competition in Paris more effectively if they use a Transportation Management Platform, thereby ensuring that goods are transported smoothly and efficiently. While the world is set to stop to enjoy the sporting events this summer, the logistics sector is gearing up to navigate the challenges that will inevitably follow it. So, by preparing early businesses will give themselves the best chance of avoiding delays and ultimately continuing their success in the coming months.

Philipp Pfister, chief customer experience officer at Transporeon

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