System Dynamics Based, Microscopic Freight Transport Simulation for Urban Areas: A Methodological Approach

Abstract

Concentrations of population and economic activities in urban areas have been growing for the last decades. Further trend is the increasing share of e-commerce activities of private households. This results in a higher share of flexible and more small-scaled deliveries. Consequently, an increased share of trips of small and medium sized freight vehicles has been observed and is expected in urban areas. These development drivers of urban freight transport can be investigated by this present methodological approach. Therefore, an approach of a System Dynamics (SD) model linked with a microscopic freight transport simulation is shown in this contribution. This extract is embedded in the overarching research project Sustainable Freight Transport in Urban Areas—Assessing Impacts of Suitable Measures by System Dynamics based Freight Transport Models.