ABSTRACT

Numerous research projects in Europe and elsewhere have attempted to pinpoint the key urban logistics problems and identify potential solutions. Despite such efforts we are little closer to resolving the basic urban logistics dilemma, which namely is that the future success of city centres depends on their effectiveness in different, often conflicting dimensions. Trans-shipment centres are frequently suggested as a solution to the environmental problems caused by lorry traffic in urban areas. Freight destined for urban areas would be unloaded at a depot on the periphery and trans-shipped into small vans for final consolidated delivery. If significant numbers of commercial vehicles in urban areas are less than fully laden, then there are obvious environmental advantages in promoting greater load consolidation. Little progress has been made in establishing the optimum vehicle size for urban logistics operations, and this remains a research priority. There has been very little research into the advantages and disadvantages of night-time operation, especially in urban environments.