Urban Freight: A Literature Review

Purpose
In recent years, the increasing growth of city logistics has considerably affected the quality of
life in urban areas. Many cities face a multiple challenges such as increased level of noise, air
pollution issues, safety concerns, poorly-implemented policies and planning. Thus, making
urban freight transportation sustainable has started to be more relevant.

Design/methodology/approach
This study presents a comprehensive literature review that aims to provide a better
understanding of the contents of the current urban freight transport practices. Research analyses
current problems, such as poor integration of networks between/inside cities, the lack of
attention from local authorities and stakeholders, and uncertainties of cooperation between
them. The framework encompasses four main stages of urban freight: overview, planning,
emission reduction and an economic perspective.

Findings
Based on this review, areas of concern and the impact of possible new changes are identified;
additionally, the methods to overcome this situation, such as policy packages and planning,
implemented through private initiatives, which include rescaling city networks and pollution
reduction problem. Freight consolidation plays key role in improvement initiatives.

Research limitations/implications
Research provides discussion, where the initiatives should be placed in urban freight, and the
ways how to overcome the constraints are being proposed.

Practical implications
Heterogeneity of interests between stakeholders, local authorities and business representatives
leads to financial, social and administrative unbalance in implementing Urban Freight Centres
(UFC). In this case, solutions are provided as well as the importance of implementing flexible
policies, restrictions and preferences regarding urban freight is explained by the authors.

Social implications
Research dedicates a lot of attention to policy strategies aimed on reduction of pollutants (e.g.
CO, CO2, NOx, and particulate emissions) emitted by freight vehicles, the importance of
increasing the number of low and/or zero emission of freight trucks circulating inside of cities
or near areas, and reduction the number of freight vehicles in the urban areas (especially in city
centers).