An ex-ante evaluation of last-mile freight distribution services for city logistics

Crumb rubber modified asphalt mixtures (CRM, dry process) involve the blending of crumb rubber (usually 1%-3% by weight of the total mixture, sizes 2.0 mm/6.3 mm) with hot aggregates prior to mixing with asphalt binder. It may cost more than conventional asphalt concretes. On the contrary, the wet process implies incorporating crumb rubber into asphalt binder prior to mixing with aggregates (usually about 1% by weight of the total mixture, 18-25% by weight of bitumen, rubber sizes below about 0.18-0.42mm) and has a wide and quite sound theory and procedure system behind it. Crumb rubber modified asphalt pavements may cost 1.5 to 2 times as much as conventional asphalt concrete. Importantly, although the dry process has a number of technical issues (including lack of standards, and uncertain performance), it has the potential to recycle more crumb rubber compared with the wet process and its mechanical properties (modulus and mechanical impedance) appear to have the potential for constructing innovative urban and rural infrastructures and for greening European city terminals. In light of the above, the goals of this study were the following: a) designing and testing innovative bituminous mixtures containing high percentages of crumb rubber (dry process); b) designing and testing innovative pavements in which the pressures caused by vehicles and/or motorcycles and/or pedestrians are converted into energy. Several mixes were designed and produced. Based on the results obtained, several options emerged as a possible solution for urban and rural roads, aiming at a better management of flow of goods and transport activities in urban areas while considering lower environmental impacts.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An experimental investigation into innovative pavements for city logistics

Praticò¹,

Moro²,

D’Agostino³

2015

“…Last-mile and long distance logistics [4,5], microsimulation in the city terminal [6], and urban regeneration aspects [7] are other relevant topics not discussed in the following.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pavement life cycle cost analysis for city logistics

Praticò

Yalaoui

Lamari

et al. 2015

Self Cite

As is well known, city terminals in densely populated areas affect traffic, infrastructures, health and the environment. In more detail, a new terminal has the potential for influencing urban transport strategies, environmental aspects, infrastructure development, city logistics, freight transport, port and city interaction, and life cycle management. In light of the above facts, the objectives of this study were confined into the preliminary analysis of the life cycle cost (LCCA) associated to several hypotheses in terms of geometric design and pavement design of a new city terminal. Hypotheses included: a) the choice of the location of the freight terminal (close to railway track, motorway and port of a town having a population of about two hundred thousand people); b) layout and main heavy vehicle paths from/to the terminal; c) equipment; d) main operations; e) dynamic and static loads of equipment; f) pavement design alternatives, construction and quality assurance. Under the above hypotheses, a life cycle cost analysis has been carried out, including rehabilitation alternatives, resurfacing alternatives, analysis period, salvage value, interest and inflation assumptions, present value derivation. Based on the results obtained, rehabilitation options emerged as a key factor in the minimization of the overall life cycle cost in terms of present values. Results can benefit both researchers and practitioners.

“…The proposal is coordinated with the analysis developed in previous works regarding the demand and the supply for freight transport in the city of Reggio Calabria [22,23,25,26].…”

Section: Reggio Calabriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The UDC shapes a multi-level scheme in the urban freight distribution process, which allows freight to be carried by means of larger vehicles outside the city and, after the transhipment, by means of smaller and less polluting vehicles inside the city [22,23]. The UDC is the breaking point of the load that fits between the producer and the final customer, adopted by several European countries [24].…”

Section: City Logisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban regeneration and smart city according to EU strategies: an urban distribution center in city logistics

Panuccio¹,

Yalaoui²,

D’Agostino³

et al. 2015

Self Cite

This paper focuses on sustainable mobility city planning as a process that innovates and develops cities.The indications laid down by the European Union (UE) urge us to review urban spaces in order to transform degraded areas into smart areas and, therefore, restart a process of rebalancing and sustainability, with the goal of transforming cities into smart cities. The planning activity supports the social, economic, and technological change processes. The regeneration of disused areas creates opportunities for sustainable growth. This paper presents the issue of urban regeneration. A project of an urban distribution center, in a city logistics system, is designed for a disused railway area, located near the harbour in Reggio Calabria. The case study has tested the application of a model of urban regeneration, through the design of innovation zones, according to European Union strategies to encourage the development of a smart city.