An evaluation methodology for city logistics

TLDR

The study proposes a methodology for evaluating city logistics initiatives using a dynamic traffic simulation with optimal routing and scheduling. The methodology employs a dynamic traffic simulation with optimal routing and scheduling on a test road network to assess three initiatives—advanced routing/scheduling, cooperative freight transport, and load‑factor controls. The evaluation demonstrates that these initiatives lower total costs and CO2 emissions, and the method enables city planners to quantitatively assess city logistics performance.

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for evaluating city logistics initiatives using a dynamic traffic simulation with optimal routing and scheduling. This methodology was applied to a test road network. The performance of three city logistics initiatives, advanced routing and scheduling systems, cooperative freight transport systems and load factor controls were assessed in terms of total costs and CO2 emissions by pickup/delivery trucks operations within the network. Results indicated that these initiatives were not only effective for reducing total costs, but also for CO2 emissions. The methodology presented here allows city planners to quantitatively evaluate city logistics initiatives.