Feasibility study of urban consolidation centre using traffic data analysis: a preliminary model

The last mile logistics involve the last phase of the supply chain i.e. the delivery to clients (vice versa the first phase of reverse logistics). Its impact is very high in terms of traffic, local air pollutions, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. due to the numerous presence of goods vehicles often characterized by a low level of load saturation. Furthermore the final part of the supply chain is the least efficient and the more expensive of the entire logistics chain. Logistics distribution in urban areas needs to be optimized to be sustainable. The Urban Consolidation Centres (UCCs) are considered as solutions to solve urban logistics problems: increase in load factor and in service levels, and the reduction of congestion and emissions are the main advantages that these logistics infrastructure entail. To evaluate sustainability of this part of supply chain specific information are necessary: routes, points of delivery, traffic conditions, number of vehicles, volumes of goods. An analysis based on data from limit traffic zone (LTZ) cameras and on manual data collection allows an initial evaluation on the introduction in the supply chain of UCC. In particular the aim of the paper is to present a preliminary methodology to detect index figures (IF) for the UCCs sizing. Starting from data on vehicles, the goal is to extrapolate IF to compare with other existing realities. The analysis is conducted in a medium Italian city.