scholarly journals A Stakeholder-Based Evaluation of the Most Suitable and Sustainable Delivery Fleet for Freight Consolidation Policies in the Inner-City Area

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Aljohani ◽  
Russell Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
City Area ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Freight Consolidation ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Last Mile Delivery

Freight carriers, receivers and citizens in the inner-city area suffer the most from issues impacting last mile delivery due to exacerbated traffic congestion, limited parking and unsustainable delivery vehicles. Freight consolidation policies offer a sustainable solution to address these problems. The freight vehicles used in the consolidated deliveries could play a significant role in the sustainability and success of these policies. This paper applies a multi-stakeholder decision support approach to evaluate the suitability and potential of various delivery fleet configurations in addressing the perspectives and requirements of all stakeholders involved in last mile delivery to perform the consolidated delivery in the inner-city area. The Multi-Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) framework was utilised to assess and rank various delivery configurations involving a combination of eco-friendly delivery vans, trucks and cargobikes based on the objectives of the stakeholders. The weight allocation of the criteria was determined through the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) method using responses collected from key actors representing all stakeholder groups in Melbourne, Australia. The multi-stakeholder analysis, which was performed using the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) method, suggested that the consolidated delivery should be performed using a combination of eco-friendly delivery vans and cargobikes to incorporate the concerns of the societal stakeholders and operational requirements of the business stakeholders. The mono-actor analysis revealed the heterogeneity of the stakeholders’ preferences and clashing views regarding the optimal delivery fleet. This highlights the importance of incorporating a multi-stakeholder perspective in the planning and selection of suitable urban freight policies. Accordingly, a suitable implementation plan for the consolidated delivery fleet was proposed to reflect the perspectives and requirements of these stakeholders.

scholarly journals Assessing the Contribution of Urban Freight Terminals in Last Mile Operations

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eftihia Nathanail ◽  
Michael Gogas ◽  
Giannis Adamos
Keyword(s):  
Performance Indicator ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Multi Criteria Evaluation ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Freight Terminals

Abstract This paper introduces a multi-stakeholder multi-criteria evaluation framework, which can be used for the assessment of the last mile distribution performance of urban freight terminals. To this end, a comparative analysis is conducted addressing two Greek urban intermodal freight terminals located at the port of Thessaloniki (ThPA) and Kuehne+Nagel (K+N)’s premises. The assessment of the terminals’ performance relies on a tailored multi-criteria Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-based evaluation framework, whereas the selection and significance of the incorporated criteria and KPIs is predetermined by the relevant responsible stakeholders, who imposed their viewpoint through an analytic hierarchy process. Results showed that ThPA was ranked first according to its performance pertaining to the role of an intermodal interchange; still, K+N’s performance index was only 8.5% lower than ThPA’s, while in specific KPIs it seems that it performs in a better way.

scholarly journals Flexible Assignment of Loading Bays for Efficient Vehicle Routing in Urban Last Mile Delivery

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7500
Author(s):  
Tomislav Letnik ◽  
Matej Mencinger ◽  
Iztok Peruš
Keyword(s):  
Vehicle Routing ◽  
Assignment Problem ◽  
City Logistics ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Soft Clustering ◽  
Logistics Systems ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Clustering Approach ◽  
Last Mile Delivery

Urban freight deliveries are often subject to many access restrictions which creates the need to establish a system of loading bays and to split the last mile delivery into driving and walking parts. A new model based on hard and soft clustering approach is developed to solve the loading bay assignment problem for efficient vehicle routing and walking in last mile delivery. The flexibility of the model is provided by the soft clustering approach based on different membership degrees of customers to loading bays. Especially for instances with large numbers of loading bays, soft clustering seems to give better results, it leads to higher flexibility of city logistics systems, minimal driving distances, and adequately short walking paths, which contribute to the goal of reaching sustainable urban freight deliveries.

scholarly journals A Conceptual Model Based on the Activity System and Transportation System for Sustainable Urban Freight Transport

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5642
Author(s):  
Demostenis Ramos Cassiano ◽  
Bruno Vieira Bertoncini ◽  
Leise Kelli de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Activity System ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Urban Freight Transport ◽  
Cyclical Process ◽  
Last Mile Delivery

Urban freight transport (UFT) is simultaneously responsible for maintaining the urban lifestyle and the negative externalities impacting urban areas, necessitating strategies that promote sustainable urban freight transport (SUFT). In addition, the stakeholders and geographic factors involved in UFT impose specific concerns in the planning and operation stages of SUFT. Therefore, this paper proposes a model addressing sustainable last-mile delivery considering the relationship between the activity system, transportation system, and stakeholders involved in UFT. Based on the literature review, we identified UFT planning procedures to achieve SUFT. In a cyclical process, these procedures were considered on the proposed model, integrating freight transport planning with urban planning to develop SUFT and, consequently, sustainable cities.

scholarly journals MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION IN URBAN FREIGHT CONSOLIDATION SCHEMES: DRIVERS AND BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATION

Transport ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 913-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Paddeu ◽  
Graham Parkhurst ◽  
Gianfranco Fancello ◽  
Paolo Fadda ◽  
Miriam Ricci
Keyword(s):  
Urban Traffic ◽  
Added Value ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Stakeholder Collaboration ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Freight Consolidation ◽  
Delivery Vehicles ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

Due to the motivations of climate change, the health impacts of poor air quality, and the importance of cities for economic growth, transport policy at all levels of governance places emphasis on reducing and managing urban traffic and congestion. Whilst the majority of urban traffic is created by personal travel, freight vehicles make a relatively large contribution per vehicle to congestion, pollution and severe accidents. The European Commission (EC 2011) estimates that 6% of all EU transport carbon emissions are from urban freight. For these reasons, a well-structured portfolio of measures and policies oriented towards more sustainable and efficient management of supply chain activities carried out in urban areas is needed, in order to reduce negative externalities related to urban mobility and improve economic performance. In recent years, there has been enthusiasm amongst commentators that shared-resource economic models can both create new commercial opportunities and address policy problems, including in the transport sector. Within the city logistics subsector, this new model is exemplified by the emergence of Urban freight Consolidation Centres (UCCs). UCCs replace multiple ‘last-mile’ delivery movements, many of which involving small consignments, by a common receiving point (the consolidation centre), normally on the periphery of a city, with the final part of the delivery being shared by the consignments in a small freight vehicle. Such arrangements can represent a good compromise between the needs of city centre businesses and their customers on the one hand (i.e. high availability of a range of goods) and local and global sustainability objectives on the other. At the same time, by sharing logistics facilities and delivery vehicles, UCCs offer added-value services to both urban economic actors, such as retailers, and network logistics providers. However, UCCs add to the complexity of logistics chains, requiring additional contracts, communications and movement stages. These arrangements also introduce additional actors within the supply of delivery services, notably local authorities present as promoters and funders, rather than simply as regulators, companies specialised in the UCC operation, and companies, which provide specialist technologies, such as electric delivery vehicles. UCCs therefore also represent an example of multi-stakeholder collaboration. Drawing on the results of a 2013 survey in Bristol (United Kingdom) and a further survey carried out in 2015 in Cagliari (Italy), the present paper will provide an in-depth comparison of the differences in the perceptions of urban freight users and stakeholders towards UCCs. Retailers involved in the survey carried out in Bristol showed high satisfaction with the delivery service provided by the UCC. Different topic areas (e.g. timeliness, reliability, safety) are examined through analyses of both qualitative and quantitative data. The survey carried out in Cagliari investigated the inclination of potential users to join a UCC scheme. The comparison between the two cities considers factors such as the nature of business holding (e.g. SME versus multiple retailers), operational practices (e.g. pattern of deliveries) and operating subsector (e.g. food versus no food). An analysis on the barriers to the implementation of UCCs in Bristol and in Cagliari is provided at the end of the paper.

scholarly journals An Examination of Last Mile Delivery Practices of Freight Carriers Servicing Business Receivers in Inner-City Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Aljohani ◽  
Russell G. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Operational Practices ◽  
Last Mile Delivery ◽  
Shed Light

Freight carriers experience major challenges while operating in highly dense inner-city areas. Timely deliveries are crucial for the success of businesses and for the long-term economic growth of metropolitan areas. Previous freight studies have paid little attention to the characteristics of freight movements in a highly dense urban context. Accordingly, this study sought to quantify the operational practices for freight carriers that deliver light parcels to inner-city business receivers. Direct insights were collected using semistructured interviews and an online survey with freight carriers in Melbourne, Australia. The intent was to describe the delivery trips and vehicle types involved in this unique segment. An assessment of operational challenges to the efficiency of freight carriers is presented in the study. In general, freight deliveries to inner-city receivers are characterised by underutilised transport capacity along with a large number of delivery stops. The findings shed light on the challenges that couriers encounter in congested inner-city areas.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impacts of Crowdshipping Using Public Transport: A Case Study in a Middle-Sized Greek City

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-81
Author(s):  
Ioannis Karakikes ◽  
Eftihia Nathanail
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Greek City ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Urban Freight Transport ◽  
Alternative Scenarios ◽  
Last Mile Delivery

Crowdsourced deliveries or crowdshipping is identified in recent literature as an emerging urban freight transport solution, aiming at reducing delivery costs, congestion, and environmental impacts. By leveraging the pervasive use of mobile technology, crowdshipping is an emerging solution of the sharing economy in the transport domain, as parcels are delivered by commuters rather than corporations. The objective of this research is to evaluate the impacts of crowdshipping through alternative scenarios that consider various levels of demand and adoption by public transport users who act as crowdshippers, based on a case study example in the city of Volos, Greece. This is achieved through the establishment of a tailored evaluation framework and a city-scale urban freight traffic microsimulation model. Results show that crowdshipping has the potential to mitigate last-mile delivery impacts and effectively contribute to improving the system’s performance.

scholarly journals DIFFERENT URBAN CONSOLIDATION CENTRE SCENARIOS: IMPACT ON EXTERNAL COSTS OF LAST-MILE DELIVERIES

Transport ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 948-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Veličković ◽  
Đurđica Stojanović ◽  
Svetlana Nikoličić ◽  
Marinko Maslarić
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
External Costs ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Freight Consolidation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Urban Consolidation

The identification and mitigation of negative externalities from goods deliveries in urban areas are important aspects of sustainable urban development. Previous studies have shown that urban freight consolidation increases the load factor of Delivery Vehicles (DVs), reducing the vehicle-kilometres driven and thus reducing negative freight transport externalities in urban areas. The objective of this paper is to explore the possible impact of the number of Urban Consolidation Centres (UCCs) on the external costs of last-mile deliveries in freight transport and to determine the possible contribution of such consolidation scenarios to external cost mitigation. Therefore, several consolidation scenarios are considered assuming different numbers of UCCs in operation. A new consolidation scheme is proposed with more than one UCC to serve a given city area. Input data are obtained from a roadside questionnaire survey with a sample of 1617 drivers at 9 access roads to an urban area as part of the NOvi Sad TRAnsport Model (NOSTRAM) study. Externalities are calculated using the IMPACT methodology and discussed for different urban freight consolidation options. The best option is identified, and the results indicate that properly planned, organised and managed urban freight consolidation can significantly reduce transport externalities. The main research results showed that all of the proposed consolidation options increase the total driving distance in an urban area. However, some consolidation options significantly reduce the driving distance of less manageable vehicles in last-mile deliveries (long-haul heavy- and light-duty vehicles). Consequently, the external costs ranged from 2108.3 to 5420.5 EUR for the consolidation option, whereas the current state externalities are 2791.4 EUR. Thus, more small UCCs may provide better results than the central centre even in medium-sized cities.

scholarly journals Assesment of the potential of cargo bikes and electrification for last-mile parcel delivery by means of simulation of urban freight flows

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Llorca ◽  
Rolf Moeckel
Keyword(s):  
Operating Time ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Last Mile Delivery ◽  
Parcel Deliveries ◽  
Motorized Vehicles

Abstract Background The paper presents a simulation model for freight. In the paper, this model is applied to understand the impacts of electric vans and cargo bikes for the last-mile delivery of parcels. Cargo bikes are electrically assisted vehicles that distribute parcels from micro depots located close to the final customers by means of short tours. The parcels are sent from the major distribution center to micro depots in vans (called feeders). Materials and methods An agent-based model is used for the purpose of the paper. The model is based on the disaggregation of commodity flows to represent trucks (for all commodities) and individual shipments (for parcel deliveries). The model represents microscopically every freight vehicle in the study area. Results The simulation of various scenarios with different shares of cargo bikes and electric vans assesses the impacts of electrification and cargo bikes. The use of cargo bikes to deliver parcels allows to reduce the number of motorized vehicles, although the presence of large parcels requires that at least half of deliveries by vans are still required. The shift to cargo bikes represents a slight increase in the total operating time to deliver the parcel demand. With low shares of cargo bikes, the total distance traveled increases, since the reduction of van tours cannot compensate the additional feeder trips from distribution centers to micro depots. The cargo bikes also do not reduce the number of vehicles for the served area, but modify the composition of vehicle types. Low noise, smaller, low emission vehicles increase, while delivery vans are reduced. Conclusion Both cargo bikes and electric vans are able to reduce CO2 emissions, even after accounting for the emissions related to electricity production.

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