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Cities all over the world are rethinking their mobility policies in light of environmental and quality of life objectives. As space is one of cities' scarcest resources, mobility's spatial footprint is increasingly scrutinized as externality to mitigate. Similar to passenger transport, goods transport is envisioned to shift towards efficient and zero emission mobilities. To achieve an urban logistics system that eliminates inefficiencies and fossil fuels, the logistics sector requires space to unload, cross-dock, consolidate and stock goods closer to their destinations. Such a 'proximity logistics' is however at odds with 'logistics sprawl', the historic outward migration pattern of logistics facilities. With policies and planning, cities can support the (re)integration of logistics facilities in urban areas to facilitate and enable the shift to an efficient urban logistics system. Logistics still being a largely neglected policy subject in many cities, knowledge on how to approach this (re)integration is hardly available. Therefore, we compare two pioneering cities: Rotterdam and Paris. Both cities have an established track record in advancing urban logistics policies and are spearheading the practice of planning for logistics. Based on interviews and policy analyses, we develop best practices on how to address the integration of urban logistics facilities for cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to analyze the opportunities related to improvement in the decarbonization strategies of the logistics sector, considering the economic, environmental, social, and technological challenges in four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay. An original survey of 464 logistics companies involved in e-commerce in these four countries was carried out. From an economic point of view, companies have started to understand that being greener is not just a slogan but can be an opportunity for growth. The social pressure of customers for more sustainable supply chains forces companies to look for alternatives to reduce their environmental footprint. Finally, adding technology makes it possible to measure and monitor parameter indicators and look for alternatives to improve them (such as routing algorithms, electric vehicles, smart lockers, etc.). Decarbonization in the e-commerce logistics sector in Latin American countries still has room for improvement (for example, using metrics and electric vehicles) to match the levels of companies with similar characteristics in European, Asian, or North American countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online retail channels increasingly shape consumers' purchase behaviour: we access a diversity of product types through web-shops; employ both smartphones and digital screens in stores; navigate the retail space by browsing online; and order pantry items, fresh groceries as well as prepared foods to be delivered at our doorsteps. The profound impact of online retail on mobility in cities, where the concentration of consumers resides, is, therefore, an extensively investigated and growing topic of interest in research. In the field of urban logistics, studies that evaluate the various impacts of e-commerce or propose efficiency or sustainability-enhancing applications are plentiful. Regardless, the general lack of solid urban e-commerce logistics data is supported widely. In this study, we systematically review the literature to identify and compare the types of e-commerce data that are currently known, employed and disclosed in urban logistics research as well as the data sources that provide access to them. Within the set of identified data, knowledge concentrates on consumer preferences and number of deliveries related to e-commerce. However, our findings confirm the general data paucity, specifically on delivery trip-related information such as deliveries per trip, number of delivery rounds and vehicle specificities. Discrepancies are found in methodologies to collect and compile data, as well as data units used (e.g., orders, parcels, deliveries) that cause large variations in information possibly diverging from reality. The study contributes to current literature and practice by compiling and analysing currently available data on urban e-commerce logistics and by presenting recommendations and best practices for future enhancements in this research field. Based on the systematic literature review, we propose a common data agenda for urban e-commerce logistics research, focused on addressing data gaps and topics that are under-developed and un-developed; pursuing data collection standardisation; disclosing data collection methodologies and sources; and specifying temporal and spatial information as well as units of data. Some data methodologies and sources can be recommended for future research: using interviews to collect quantitative data; collaborating with sector organisations; exploring open maps; employing existing household and time use surveys; and leveraging technological opportunities and new ways of collecting data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platform-based fast delivery is developing rapidly in many cities across the world, especially in the food sector. Yet knowledge about the characteristics and the activity patterns of delivery couriers is scarce, especially in terms of their mobility behavior. Methodology: Based on two questionnaire surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 300 and 500 couriers respectively, this article analyses the profiles, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers working in Paris (France), with a focus on the impacts of the pandemic. Results: First, the analysis of the profiles and motivations of couriers reveals that platform-based delivery is largely a temporary activity performed by young males of foreign origin, and undertaken as a student job or an entry to the labor market. Second, data on mobility patterns confirm that platform-based delivery is a dangerous activity with a high risk of road accidents. Moreover, many couriers break the law in order to increase their income by using motorized two-wheelers that are not legally permitted in France. We also show the use of shared bikes, which seems to be a great support tool for couriers who are starting work in this sector or have a problem with their own bikes. Third, the pandemic prompted many students to become platform-based delivery couriers in order to compensate for the lack of student jobs. It also worsened the working conditions of the majority of platform-based couriers. These findings raise new urban policy challenges and also new avenues for research in terms of topics and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platform-based on-demand delivery services are rapidly developing in urban areas, especially in the food sector, raising new issues for urban planners, especially in the field of transport. Based on a survey of over 100 couriers conducted in 2018 in the municipality of Paris (France), this work aims at analyzing the profile, delivery activity and mobility practices of the couriers working for these platforms. The main objective is to show how mobility practices are shaped by the characteristics of digital work in the urban delivery sector, and to highlight new challenges for urban authorities and research. Compared to other studies, our work is based on quantitative data and distinguishes three categories of couriers, depending on whether they have another activity: students, people with another paid job, and people with no other paid or non-paid activity. Findings show that these three categories have different characteristics, regarding age, education, residential location, the intensity of delivery activity and the characteristics of mobility practices, especially regarding the transport modes used. The article ends with the discussion of a number of new challenges for both urban authorities and researchers regarding the sustainability of these new forms of digital work in urban delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For over 15 years, the subject of urban logistics has preoccupied many stakeholders, including both private and public decision-makers. The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the limits of public policy regulations restricting vehicle access to limited traffic zones to promote the use of urban consolidation centres (UCCs). After examining the main technical and economic aspects of implementing an UCC, we present the case of Vicenza (Italy), which has implemented very restrictive regulations. We study the municipal regulations and their legal consequences, by analysing court rulings issued between 2006 and 2009, following a lawsuit brought by an association of freight transport carriers due to these restrictions. Although this case seems applicable to a specific context, we identify several lessons that can be extrapolated to other cities. Therefore, the lessons drawn for other urban areas in Europe are presented, and their advantages and possible transferability studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at the way urban goods movements are included in transport policies aimed at improving air quality in large European cities, particularly in France. The movement of goods in cities is a major contributor to local emissions caused by mobile sources. Trucks emit many pollutants (notably NOx and particulate matter) because they mostly use diesel and because there is a high proportion of old trucks and vans circulating in cities. As a result of this research, it seems that there are few policy innovations in freight issues in cities. Even more surprising is, in France, the low level of legal disputes over air quality standards attainment issues. Nonetheless, responding to public opinion's increasing concern over health issues and to European standards for urban air quality, some European cities have started to reserve access to city centres to new, `clean' or `fully loaded' trucks. By doing so, they have engaged in a more environmentally oriented urban freight strategy. The main conclusion of this article is that this new type of environmental regulation targeted on trucks is the best way available for cities wishing to improve their environment and air quality. Considering the current structure of the freight industry, other policy instruments such as negotiated agreements with freight professionals cannot be very useful except in a limited number of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at the way urban goods movements are included in transport policies aimed at improving air quality in large European cities, particularly in France. The movement of goods in cities is a major contributor to local emissions caused by mobile sources. Trucks emit many pollutants (notably NOx and particulate matter) because they mostly use diesel and because there is a high proportion of old trucks and vans circulating in cities. As a result of this research, it seems that there are few policy innovations in freight issues in cities. Even more surprising is, in France, the low level of legal disputes over air quality standards attainment issues. Nonetheless, responding to public opinion's increasing concern over health issues and to European standards for urban air quality, some European cities have started to reserve access to city centres to new, ‘clean’ or ‘fully loaded’ trucks. By doing so, they have engaged in a more environmentally oriented urban freight strategy. The main conclusion of this article is that this new type of environmental regulation targeted on trucks is the best way available for cities wishing to improve their environment and air quality. Considering the current structure of the freight industry, other policy instruments such as negotiated agreements with freight professionals cannot be very useful except in a limited number of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]