A conceptual framework for planning transhipment facilities for cargo bikes in last mile logistics

Abstract

Global urbanization processes expedite a growing demand for more sustainability and higher liveability in cities. New logistic concepts like cargo bike schemes can be a vital means towards this goal. In this respect, both logistics planning and urban planning need to address several aspects of the urban fabric, but show a lack of holistic planning tools. We develop a conceptual framework that combines planning objects and planning scales of logistics planning with urban planning. We demonstrate the application of the framework for the theoretical deployment of an urban transhipment facility (UTF). Drawing upon interdisciplinary expertise from urban logistics, urbanism, sociology and psychology, several interdependencies of an UTF implementation with the urban fabric become apparent. Regarding this, several practical recommendations for the use case can be derived. In general, we recommend the application of the framework as a guideline for urban and urban logistics planning purposes to practitioners and encourage scientists to further develop and enrich the framework.