Evaluating smart urban freight solutions using microsimulation

Abstract

Last mile distribution remains a difficult-to-solve variable in urban congestion’s equation, especially in Europe, due to increased population, economic growth and limited space. Over the last decades, several European projects have contributed significantly into that direction, by developing innovative concepts (e.g., electric solutions, ITS adoption, effective policy-based strategies). A great number of measures has been deployed and considered as possible solutions to the last mile distribution problem of European cities, however, only a few of them have actually been implemented and tested over a long period of time and their impacts have been quantified. This study focuses on the evaluation of three smart urban freight transport measures on an urban interchange – Commercial port – by using a microscopic traffic simulation tool in order to decide which is the most effective in environmental and transportation terms. Each measure is being evaluated as if it was to be implemented now (2017) and in 2030 in order to assess measures’ effectiveness in the short as well in the long term. The analysis is completed by using a multi-criteria multi-stakeholder decision making tool to generate the Logistics Sustainability Index (LSI) for each measure, to summarize results and provide a sustainability based rating to support local decision-making.