Sustainable Freight Transport System Research Articles

Antecedents of freight transportation for sustainable supply chain in the post-COVID era: an emerging market study

PurposeIn past years, the global supply chain has witnessed devastating effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed the interest of the Sustainable Supply Chain (SSC) stakeholders on sustainability. The stakeholders are now rethinking their business processes and strategy to make them sustainable. In this context, the relevant literature is required to support emerging markets to formulate sustainability-focussed strategies. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of potential antecedents that leads towards sustainable development of freight transportation in emerging markets.Design/methodology/approachInitially, the antecedents of the Sustainable Freight Transport (SFT) system are derived from the literature survey followed by verification from the experts. Then, the potential antecedents are categorized under four (social, organizational, operational and environmental) broad categories. Afterwards, a Neutrosophic Analytic Network Process (N-ANP) method is employed to obtain the priority weights of the identified potential antecedents.FindingsThe paper identified and ranked 17 antecedents of the SFT system. According to the study’s findings, the top three antecedents of SFT are “the presence of a multimodal transportation system,” “circularity in SFT” and “traffic congestion management”. The results from the study advocate the promotion of existing multi-modal transport facilities which is promising to achieve sustainability. The results suggested the adoption of the digital twin to manage the transport operations.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on how to achieve sustainability in the freight transportation system post-COVID era highlighting the potential antecedents. The study’s findings will assist practitioners in developing SFT strategies in the face of such pandemics in future.

Key Performance Indicators for Sustainable Freight Transport and Scenario-based Impediments in Pakistan Freight Industry

Freight transport enables economic growth, market connectivity, and access to the global supply chain systems which contribute to the societal progress and inclusive development of a country. However, it may undermine the sustainable operations by incurring external costs, inefficiency, and economic losses due to non-reliability, poor services, and information systems. In this research study, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Sustainable Freight Transport Systems (SFTS) are discussed based on available literature review and standards of sustainability measurement in freight transport. Then, based on KPIs some of the scenario-based impediments are highlighted which hinder the performance of the freight transport in Pakistan for achieving sustainable development goals. The core impediments included are Strategic Determinants (SD), Information Systems (IS), Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS) and City Logistics (CL). The negative direct impacts of the key identified factors are also highlighted and linked with each scenario-based impediment. This research study would provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to get tangible idea for policy making and upgradation of the freight transport industry in the country. The highlighted implications will also be validated via expert surveys and Delphi-analysis in the future study.

Assessing the Potential of Short Sea Shipping and the Benefits in Terms of External Costs: Application to the Mediterranean Basin

The paper aims to investigate short sea shipping services as a competitive, sustainable freight transport system which is able to respond to economic, social and environmental needs. An assessment methodology is proposed which considers an aggregate discrete choice model, simulating the split between the competitive transport alternatives in the Mediterranean basin. The proposed methodology was used to assess the potential of short sea shipping (SSS) and the net benefits deriving from lower external costs in the north-western Mediterranean basin. Two future scenarios are considered: introduction of new SSS services as envisaged by current EU projects and plans, and the introduction of new SSS routes and an increase in frequencies of existing services. Significant results were obtained in terms of shifting freight traffic from the road network as well as external benefits.

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.

Integrated sustainable freight transport system for city multi-floor manufacturing clusters

Abstract The purpose of the article is to present the integrated sustainable freight transport system dedicated for city clusters. The presented concept and calculation model is the result of a broader study on the effectiveness of production and transport systems in urban areas. The integrated sustainable freight transport system described in this paper serves multi-floor manufacturing clusters and therefore meets two efficiency requirements: technological integration and process sustainability. The integration of in-house transport system servicing multi-floor manufacturing building and supply chain deliveries to/from logistic node is based on efficient use of Intelligent Reconfigurable Trolleys (IRTs). The calculation model of integrated freight transport system allows for the quantitative matching of key elements of the transport system to the multi-floor manufacturing cluster needs. Properly selected and functionally integrated elements of proposed transport system allows to minimize losses and reduce the negative impact of transport on the environment.

Development of a decision support framework for sustainable freight transport system evaluation using rough numbers

Among various operational decision-making tasks in a transportation system, sustainable performance evaluation has a very promising and direct influence on the community as well as environment. To prevent and reduce the negative impacts of a freight transportation system, a constant monitoring and performance measurement system has of paramount significance in the process of supply chain management. However, studies of complex transport evaluation systems are very scarce in the existing literature. This paper aims to resolve the problem of freight transport system’s performance measurement while developing a comprehensive framework with incorporation of sustainable elements and establishing a rough set-based decision-making approach. The applicability of the proposed framework is investigated to evaluate the performance of seven freight transportation companies in Spain. A decision support tool is designed by integrating rough number-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) methods for their performance appraisal. Sensitivity analysis and comparison with other popular methods are also performed to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach. It is established that rough number-based methodologies have advantages over fuzzy or interval-based models.

Knowledge extraction from the experimental data of the vehicle traffic volume

Abstract The problem of urban traffic is very important because of the ever-increasing growth of vehicles, which is one of the reasons for the congestion in urban areas. The article presents knowledge extraction with the use of the statistical methods. The characteristics of vehicle traffic volume are determined. The data come from an experiment carried out in Szczecin as part of the Green and Sustainable Freight Transport Systems in Cities (GRASS) project. On the basis of the data, vehicle traffic volume characteristics were calculated at selected points taking into account the type of vehicles, time of the day, day of the week and the speed of vehicles.

Burden or opportunity for modal shift? – Embracing the urban dimension of intermodal road-rail transport

Intermodal road-rail transport (IRRT) has a significant urban dimension, which affects the modal shift potential and the environmental benefits of rail freight. This paper explores the relevance of local policies for sustainable modal shift strategies by conceptualising the links between urban planning and rail freight. The presented framework identifies measures that local authorities can apply in order to increase the market and environmental improvement potential of IRRT. The results indicate that local urban transport planning has a significant role to play in the promotion of rail freight. Integrating rail freight into long-term urban development plans offers new possibilities for rail freight that are necessary in order to achieve a sustainable freight transport system in the face of ever-increasing road transport volumes.

Analysis of the Christmas Period Impact on the Freight Transport Demand in Szczecin

The main problem arising in the process of management of the transport and distribution of goods in urban areas is the lack of data regarding deliveries, in particular with regard to the structure of demand as well as the classification of vehicles, their routes, changes in demand for transport, etc. The aim of the research presented in the paper is to fill this gap in Szczecin (Poland). The studies are part of research carried out under the project GRASS (GReen And Sustainable freight transport Systems in cities). The paper introduces the results of second stage analysis of the goods distribution within the city centre of Szczecin, covering a significant number of companies, retail and service entities, entities of the HoReCa sector, schools, universities, and public administration. The studies presented in this paper of the survey results illustrate the impact of Christmas period on the increasing demand for delivery in Szczecin example. Moreover, the survey was conducted in the shopping centres located in the designated area of the city. This enabled to determine the seasonal increase in demand for freight deliveries.

Analysis of Freight Transport Demand at Szczecin and Oslo Area

The main problem arising in the process of management of the transport and distribution of goods in urban areas is the lack of data regarding deliveries, in particular with regard to the structure of demand as well as the classification of vehicles, their routes, changes in demand for transport, etc. The paper introduces the results of analysis of the goods distribution within the city centre of Szczecin and Oslo, covering a significant number of companies, retail and service entities, entities of the HoReCa sector, schools, universities, and public administration. The studies are part of research carried out under the project GRASS (GReen And Sustainable freight transport Systems in cities). The studies presented in this paper were carried out in two stages. The first stage of work included carrying out initial research allowing for an assessment of the current status in the analysed areas of Szczecin and Oslo. In the second stage of the survey results were updated with data on the increase in demand for delivery in the Christmas period. Moreover, the survey was conducted in the shopping centres located in the designated area of the city. This enabled to determine the seasonal increase in demand for freight deliveries.

Comparative Analysis of Activities for More Environmental Friendly Urban Freight Transport Systems in Norway and Poland

Negative effects of urban distribution of goods in terms of energy consumption and air pollution are caused mainly by a low level of cooperation between partners in the supply chain, and also the low effectiveness of transport systems. The issues of urban freight transport functioning and effects on the city environment have recently been more and more often taken into account. Many projects on a local, regional, national as well as cross-boundary scale have emerged, with a direct focus on limiting the negative impacts of urban freight deliveries on the environment. In this paper the authors introduce a study performed for Polish and Norwegian cities focused on initiatives concentrated on activities aimed at limiting the negative impacts of freight transport on urban environment. A comparative analysis of the Polish and Norwegian projects was made, taking into account both quantitative and qualitative aspects. This was the first part of the GRASS (GReen And Sustainable freight transport Systems in cities) research project, which is being undertaken by the Maritime University of Szczecin and the Institute of Transport Economics from Oslo through the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme.

Backcasting sustainable freight transport systems for Europe in 2050

European freight transport emissions and fuel consumption are projected to increase. This study focuses on long distance freight transport (LDFT) and explores possible sustainable futures through quantitative modeling. The evaluation was part of European foresight process between researchers, policy makers and freight companies (FREIGHTVISION). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy demand of road, rail and inland waterways were estimated for an EU-27 in 2005. Development was extrapolated to 2050 based on technology and freight performance forecasts. Stakeholders found the forecasted GHG emissions and fossil fuel share unsustainable, so alternative futures were developed with backcasting. The developed emission model was run with random parameter combinations to screen a set of sustainable futures, with an 80% reduction of GHG emissions and fossil fuel share. Freight transport performance was not controlled in the backcasts, but several sustainable futures were found if significant changes in transport efficiency and energy mix are implemented. In spite of agreeing on the importance of reducing emissions, stakeholders had difficulties in choosing a preferred technological future. Simple models were found to be an effective tool for communicating the influence of various measures. Further research is recommended to screen preferable technological roadmaps from the broad range of available futures.