Chapter objectives:

-              understanding the importance of regulation of freight transport in cities,

-              understanding the principles of creating regulatory and technological measures to support the city logistics,

-                knowledge of the different types of used technologies and measures within the city logistics.

Time required to study the chapter: 6 hours

Interpretation:

 

Approaches to the city logistics issues and freight transport in cities

The term of “city logistics” represents the application of logistic approaches to the goods (consignments) and passengers’ movement in urban conditions. It characterizes the process of optimizing logistics and transport processes in urban agglomeration involving the private and public sectors.

As already mentioned (see chapter 1), city logistics systems (technologies) in freight transport in Europe are often composed of combinations of the following city logistics approaches:

 

o  Urban distribution center,

o  Cooperation of carriers to optimize the logistics operations

o  Controlling the capacity utilization of trucks

o  Underground transport systems

o  Optimization of vehicles for supply and use of environmentally friendly vehicles

o  The distribution by other types of vehicles

o  Restrictions of entry of selected types of vehicles

o  Charging for transport infrastructure

o  Night-time deliveries

o  Controlling the space utilization of the cities

o  Map for trucks drivers

o  Alternative distribution of shipments

o  Information technologies and telematics (Advanced Information System).

 

Aforementioned city logistics approaches are combined to each other to achieve higher efficiency in order to solve defined problems of cities. A suitable combination of measures can reduce the negative impacts of freight transport on the environment, reduce congestions caused by freight transport and number of freight vehicles (trucks) in the particular area while maintaining its economic growth.

 

Urban distribution center – see. chapter 2

Fig. 5 Supply vehicles movements with and without the urban distribution center

 

Specific goals that can be achieved by introducing the UDC:

·         reduction in the number of trucks in the particular area,

·         reduction in the total number of journeys of trucks,

·         reduction of congestion, emissions of air pollution and noise,

·         increasing attraction to the area,

·         greater supply reliability,

·         improvement of provided service levels,

·         overall optimization of the logistics chain

 

Use of alternative fuels

One of the other options to reduce the environmental impact of transport is to use the alternative fuels which are more environmentally friendly compared to conventional fossil fuels. Alternative fuels include LPG (propane, butane), CNG (compressed natural gas), biofuels (bioethanol, vegetable oils, biodiesel), hydrogen, electric power and hybrid drives.

 

Consignments distribution by unconventional transport systems

- Cargo trams - In some cities, there is a dense network of tram lines that are not 100% utilized in night hours. Therefore, there is an opportunity to use them for the supply activities or collection of waste. In Zurich, trams are adjusted for bulk waste collection. In Dresden, specific Cargo tram is operated; it connects the distribution center and the factory in the city center.

 

 

Fig. 6 Cargo trams operated in Dresden

 

         - Bicycles - The distribution of parcels and light consignments by couriers riding a bicycle is common and used in many European cities. Using bicycles, light consignments and parcels are usually distributed in city center. Consignments are delivered directly to the addressee.

 

Restriction (regulation) of entry of selected types of vehicles – see. chapter 2

 

Fig. 7 Florence – regulation based on a license

 

Charging for transport infrastructure – see. chapter 2

 

Night-time deliveries

The aim of night-time deliveries of city centers and other areas is to avoid congestions that occur during the day, and at the same time, not to contribute to them. Night deliveries reduce vehicle driving time, emissions, fuel consumption, and allow for larger utilization of vehicles to supply.

 

Information and telematics technologies

·         webpages,

·         on-line route planners,

·         driver/warehouse communication, driver/distribution center communication,

·         warehouse information systems,

·         fleet management,

·         providing real-time information on traffic conditions and infrastructure,

·         optimization of journeys, etc.

 

Map for truck drivers - see. chapter 2

 

Examples of particular City Logistics solutions regarding freight transport abroad:

•    Brussels - Caddy-Home
•    Aarhus – Restricted entrance into the pedestrian zone
•    Copenhagen - The system of certificates, couriers on bicycles
•    Bordeaux - UCC
•    Lyon – Entrance charging
•    Paris - Electric tricycles, night-time deliveries, etc.
•    Dublin - Night-time deliveries 
•    Geneva - UCC
•    Milan - Cityplus – consignments consolidation
•    Savona - Metrocargo
•    Trento - Electromobiles
•    Verona – Multimodal logistics terminal Quadrante Europa, Green vehicles (environmentally friendly)
•    Fukuoka - UCC
•    Hungary - Fleet Management System
•    Monte Carlo - UCC
•    Amsterdam - Floating distribution center, Cargo tram
•    Leiden - UCC
•    Tilburg, Groningen – Effective supply
•    Berlin - Strategy for integrated transportation of goods, Building distribution center for the construction of the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin
•    Bremen – Handbook about the transport network for freight transport, City logistik
•    Freiburg - The system of centralized management of supplies to the city
•    Munich - UCC
•    Oslo (also Bergen a Trondheim) – Entrance charging
•    Evora – Ecologus
•    Graz - City logistik Graz
•    Salzburg - City logistik
•    Vienna – TIP
•    Barcelona - night-time deliveries, Web sites
•    Malmö - Food industry logistics, traffic management using the satellite navigation
•    Basel - City Logistik (BCL)
•    Zürich - Transport of bulk waste by tram
•    London - Construction material distribution center, Congestion fee, 
•    Heathrow - Distribution center
•    Norwich - City distribution center (CIVITAS SMILE), Project - Shop and go,
•    York - Cyclone couriers

 

Study materials:

Basic literature:

ŠIROKÝ, J., SLIVON Ě, M., CEMPÍREK, V. Centra nákladní dopravy a jejich optimalizace na vybrané dopravní síti, “Perner´s Contacts“, University of Pardubice, DFJP, Pardubice, No. II, Vol. III, 2008, pp. 81-94, ISSN 1801-674X, Available at: .

Sustainable logistics of urban transportation of goods through regional and local policies [online]. 2008. Available at

Voženílek, V., Strakoš, V. City Logistics: Dopravní problémy města a logistika. Olomouc: Publisher - Palacky University, 2009, pp., 108-117. ISBN 978-80-244-2317-3

Recommended study literature:

TANIGUCHI, E. a R.G. THOMPSON. City Logistics: Mapping The Future: CRC Press, 2014. 231 s. ISBN 978-1-4822-0889-4.

 

Questions and tasks

1.      Approaches to the city logistics issues and freight transport in cities do not include:

a)      charging for transport infrastructure,

b)      night-time deliveries,

c)      implementation of a simulated plan

2.      Specific goals that can be achieved by introducing the urban distribution center do not include:

a)      creating a simulation model

b)      reduction of congestion, emissions of air pollution and noise,

c)      increasing attraction to the area.

3.      Alternative fuels do not include:

a)      CNG

b)      diesel

c)      hydrogen

4.      Currently, cargo trams are in operation in cities:

a)      Rome and Brussels

b)      Zürich and Dresden

c)      London a Berlin

5.      Write out some information and telematics technologies applied within the city logistics

 

Key to solve the questions:

  1)    c.

   2)    a.

   3)    b.

   4)    b.