Predicting the effects of city logistics schemes

City logistics aims globally to optimize logistics systems within an urban area by considering the costs and benefits of schemes to the public and private sectors alike. Private shippers and freight operators aim to reduce their freight costs, while the community attempts to alleviate traffic congestion and environmental problems. City logistics initiatives attempt to minimize the total costs of freight movement within urban areas. Schemes for reducing the environmental and social costs as well as the economic costs are sought. This paper describes the development and application of mathematical computer-based models that have been used in the planning and evaluation of city logistics schemes. A detailed description of several modelling approaches that have been developed to predict the effects of specific city logistics schemes is presented. Integrated modelling approaches that combine both optimization and simulation, such as dynamic flow simulation and multi-agent systems, allow the effects of city logistics schemes to be predicted.