Developing a local research strategy for city logistics on an academic campus

Abstract

This paper investigates the relative suitability of data and methodologies to assess the determinants of urban freight activity, based on a case study that has been carried out in a city centre university campus, in a medium-sized British city. Data, from procurement/purchasing and traffic surveys, have been used to set a baseline model of freight activity in the development of Delivery and Servicing Plans. A focused literature review of urban freight studies has been completed, in order to address identified urban freight challenges in meeting sustainability objectives. The study demonstrates imperfect data and raises questions that identify new research opportunities with new data collection, including focus group interviews, staff questionnaires, and stated preference surveys. These and other methodologies are identified to address the data gap, in order to develop a localized research strategy adapted to a local campus sustainability initiative.

Keywords:

• city logistics
• purchasing
• research strategy
• urban freight
• Delivery and Servicing Plans

Notes

1. As reported in the associated literature.

2. In addition to this, there is an observed and persistent level of illegal parking along the periphery of the site, largely by couriers, but also by catering supplies’ vehicles.