A web-based support tool to coordinate logistic activities in dense populated areas using auctions

Abstract

In the context of research project MOSCA (MOSCA: Decision Support System for Integrated Door-To-Door Delivery: Planning and Control in Logistic Chains, IST 2000-29557), promoted by the European Union, a prototype of a web-based support tool (web-portal) was developed. Its purpose was to improve communication and coordination between participants of the traffic system. These participants were divided into two segments: the supply-side and the demand-side. The supply-side consists of cities and municipalities which supply the traffic infrastructure. On the other hand, the senders and receivers of goods (companies, stores) use (demand) this traffic infrastructure. The starting point is the rising extent of utilization of the traffic system in urban areas, which today has already reached its capacity limits. In order to work against this, the city of Lugano in Switzerland examined whether it is meaningful to limit the entry of trucks into the city. Only vehicles that can show proof of an existing parking bay will be granted admission into the city center. Thereby the possibility of dynamic pricing of parking areas and the assignment of parking bays by means of auctions were investigated. The suggested web-portal represents a technical possibility to implement such an access restriction. By publishing information of open capacities, all participants are able to realize more efficient plans of city-logistic activities in dense populated areas, since this information can be used in logistic planning algorithms. For the covering abstract see ITRD E129315.