Logistics

Crossrail identified logistics early on as a key priority and that it should be proactively managed such that the impacts outside the hoarding were treated with the same significance as those inside, requiring individual contractors to incorporate logistics practices into their normal working day.

As part of obtaining the Crossrail Act 2008 Crossrail had committed to minimising road transportation, ensuring beneficial re-use of uncontaminated excavated material, maximising use of sustainable transport, coordinating all vehicle movements, undertaking lorry driver training and promoting off-site manufacture. All of this was therefore detailed in the Works Information (Part 26). This part of the Works Information describes the Crossrail’s logistics management requirements and the logistical constraints on how the Contractor Provides the Works arising from the commitments made by the Crossrail. As well as the detailed Works Information  Crossrail developed a Logistics Management plan specifically for the central section delivery area as it was understood that delivery of these central section stations would require sensitive and efficient handling.  The learning legacy paper on Logistics provides an overview of the principles of Crossrail’s logistics strategy and how it was implemented, identifying the key challenges, lessons learned and how it continues to influence other projects and stakeholders.

Logistics in construction often focuses on the challenges within the site boundary, leaving those outside the gate to be addressed when dictated by the programme. But early in the project’s development Crossrail identified this as an area which it wanted to be proactively managed so that impacts outside the hoarding were treated with the same significance as those inside. With 800 hauliers delivering to 30 main contractors across 47 central London sites the largest construction project in Europe Crossrail decided to take the initiative and try and set a standard for all contracts to follow.

The overall HGV data is detailed in the forthcoming HGV dataset demonstrating just how much HGV movement took place to/from sites throughout the project from 2012 to 2017.

Due to the size and complexity of the project Crossrail also worked with the relevant local authorities to define specific lorry routes. These can also be accessed in the dataset paper.

To demonstrate how this movement was minimised and controlled a logistics micro report has been developed using Paddington Station as an example site. It provides a summary of the site construction, the HGV movement logged, how that movement is linked to the construction timeline.

Logistics Documents:

Summary Publication date Document Type
Crossrail HGV Movement Data

Crossrail HGV Movement Data

Topic area: Logistics

The dataset below provides all the data collected from a sample of the main central project sites on the movement in and out of site by HGVs. The data is broken down by date and material being moved. A set of sample dashboards from a selection of stations shafts and portals is included to demonstrate how Crossrail util...

17/08/2018 Dataset
HGV Movement at Crossrail’s Paddington Station

HGV Movement at Crossrail’s Paddington Station

Topic area: Logistics

Paddington station has been used as an example to detail the controlled manner in which HGV lorry movements were managed during construction over a five year period. This paper provides a summary of the site construction, the HGV movement logged, and how that movement is linked to construction at the site. It also show...

09/07/2018 Micro-report
Crossrail project: logistics management strategy for the Elizabeth line, London

Crossrail project: logistics management strategy for the Elizabeth line, London

Topic area: Logistics

Logistics in construction often focuses on the challenges within the site boundary, leaving those outside the gate to be addressed when dictated by the programme. But early in the projects development Crossrail identified this as an area which it wanted to be proactively managed so that impacts outside the hoarding wer...

14/03/2017 Journal Publication
Crossrail Lorry Routes

Crossrail Lorry Routes

Topic area: Traffic and Highways

Due to the size and complexity of the Crossrail project, it was decided to try and mitigate traffic issues by liaising with the affected London boroughs from the outset. Approved lorry routes were agreed with each of the London boroughs where Crossrail construction sites were required. The routes agreed with each of th...

09/07/2018 Good Practice Document
Vehicle Movement Planning System

Vehicle Movement Planning System

Topic area: Information Technology

This document summarises the approach taken by Crossrail’s IT department to deliver a system that would meet the requirements of Crossrail’s Traffic Co-ordination Centre and how the challenges inherent in a complex, bespoke system were met.

14/03/2017 Micro-report