Abstract
The article presents a method which helps local authorities to evaluate urban freight transport models. Given the complex requirements for input data and the inability to supply them for most cities, a proper quantitative evaluation of model functionality may be quite difficult for local authorities. Freight transport models designed to support sustainable urban freight transport objectives are a particular example. To overcome these difficulties, the structure of the method is based on a qualitative analysis of strategic and operational conditions of urban freight management for modelling purposes. A consistent set of criteria is developed to help with parameterising strategic objectives and the analytical requirements of tools to achieve those objectives. The problems of data availability and capture are also included. The method consists of three tiers that are arranged hierarchically to reflect the interrelations. The proposed method was verified against Gdynia’s (Poland) urban freight management requirements. The city was chosen for its early experience of urban freight studies and improvement measures and because it has already defined its strategic objectives. Two comprehensive freight transport models (Freturb and Wiver) and existing city’s transport model were evaluated. The results have ruled out the existing transport model rendering it ineffective as a tool to support urban freight management to meet the city’s strategic objectives. While Freturb turned out to be much better suited for the needs, dedicated models still face a basic barrier of cities having to redesign their systems for collecting urban transport data.
Highlights
If cities are to manage their transport systems sustainably, local authorities must have the skills to choose comprehensive solutions by assessing the planned outcomes
Classification of carriers and operators servicing a city’s area requires a well-developed database on entities with detailed information on vehicle fleet characteristics Entities database should be analysed at regional level at least to identify all carriers located outside of a city, but operating within its limits Adopting a regional approach for carrier identification makes a city dependent on national data sources, which have limited quality with regard to urban freight movements analysis Zoning of a city according to general activity types and employment reduces the possibility for in-depth analysis of transport activity at local level or with regard to specific characteristics determining a demand for deliveries
The purpose of the work was to create and verify a method for supporting local authorities with evaluating freight transport models to improve the delivery of sustainable transport policy
Summary
If cities are to manage their transport systems sustainably, local authorities must have the skills to choose comprehensive solutions by assessing the planned outcomes. This usually involves understanding the effects on transport infrastructure, emissions and noise, and the safety of all users. The above mentioned factors clearly show a lack of public authorities’ capability to manage urban goods transport This leads to a restrictive implementation of urban freight in planning policies and a poor evaluation capacity during the decision process using tools such as transport models [18]. Local authorities do not follow a systemic approach to urban freight transport This results in a lack of clearly defined policy objectives or relevant implementation indicators.
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