Improvements of City Logistics Methods in Thriasio Area, Greece

Urban freight transport is a very important part of the logistics chain. Creating the right conditions for the economic and commercial development of urban transport is extremely important. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of city logistics while presenting the situation in Greece, a country lagging in the implementation of good practices, and some suggestions for improving the existing reality of urban transport. In order to achieve the objectives of the present work, a review of the relevant literature and primary research, was conducted through personal interviews for the implementation of urban freight transport. The results, according to the literature, have shown that designing the right way and organizing an appropriate route for the product increases the quantities produced that are shipped for sale, either directly from the producers, through traders, suppliers, or logistics companies, which simply carry the products. Wrong design, on the other hand, leads to a complex system with significant losses, both in cost and quality. Also, according to primary research, businesses now active in the Thriasio area report the importance and positive impact they have had on the wider local community, as well as that urban shopping centers play a very important role, organizing and coordinating freight transport in the city centers. Moreover, the establishment of businesses in the center of Thriasio gives a positive impact on their establishment as their business has evolved and increased.

Themes and Challenges in Making Urban Freight Distribution Sustainable

The purpose of this article is to explore and classify themes and challenges in making urban freight distribution sustainable.The study has a cross sectional design which started by a narrative literature review and analysis of a sample of related literature(like peer-reviewed articles and EU(European Union)documents).It ended with complementary discussion and recommendation for tackling the challenges.The results of the study illustrate eight and seven emerged categories of themes and challenges,respectively.It is concluded that there is great need for a packet of mixed strategies as well as a more holistic perspective where all actors together analyse and design future set-ups and operation of urban freight distribution.Such a holistic view is essential in order to:understand how different actors of the chain look upon sustainable urban freight distribution,avoid sub-optimal policies/governing rules,and suggest close-to-reality solutions for tackling the challenges.Freight distribution in urban areas is the main focus of this article.In addition,the study is demarcated to eco/environmental aspect of sustainability although it is impossible to completely exclude its interaction with economic and social aspects.The results offered in this paper provide a systematic structure for classifying issues related to sustainable urban freight distribution;something which will be beneficial for managers and policy-makers when they approach sustainable supply chain management challenges.This study provides a synthesized classification of themes and challenges which can guide researchers,industries,authorities,and policy-makers in future sustainability efforts.

Road User Charging for Urban Freight Vehicles: A Systems Approach

Road user charging (RUC) has a long history as a mechanism to recover infrastructure maintenance and capital costs. The present RUC systems are facing issues such as transparency, cross-subsidization, environmental concerns and reducing revenue due to the likes of lessening fuel tax as vehicles become more efficient. Therefore, this paper reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the present RUC mechanisms implemented in the world with respect to stakeholder problems and demands of the freight industry and to describe the need for a more appropriate, practical and sustainable approach that can be used in the future. Finally, a model is proposed that is transparent and considers usage-based charging addressing most of the weaknesses highlighted in the models reviewed. Further, it considers externalities produced by heavy vehicles into account. The model has the potential to provide answers to key stakeholder issues and will lead to a sustainable freight transport system in the future. Encouraging fuel-efficient modes, optimization of loading, routing and logistics systems, and long term land use planning are a few of them.

A methodology for assessing the urban supply of on-street delivery bays

The loading and unloading operations carried out by transport and logistics operators have a strong impact on city mobility if they are not performed correctly.If loading/unloading bays,i.e.,delivery bays(DB),are not available for freight vehicle operations,operators may opt to double park or park on the sidewalk where there is no strong enforcement of these laws,with significant impact on congestion.This paper proposes a methodology for verifying and designing the number of delivery bays needed for freight vehicles for not interfere with cars or pedestrians.The methodology consists of two stages:in the first stage,an initial estimation is made using queueing theory.Subsequently,in the second stage,using such tentative scenario,in order to take into account the system stochasticity involving different entities,a discrete event simulation is performed to more realistically verify and upgrade(if necessary)the number of delivery bays to obtain the expected outcomes.The methodology was applied in the inner area of Santander(Spain).The study area was subdivided into 29 zones where the methodology was applied individually.The results indicated that none of these zones currently have an optimal number of delivery bays to satisfy demand.In some zones,there is an excess of delivery bays,although in most of them,there is a deficit which can cause significant impacts on traffic.The method proposed can be an effective tool to be used by city planners for improving freight operations in urban areas limiting the negative impacts produced in terms of internal and external costs.