Evaluating Urban Logistics Schemes Using Agent-based Simulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. A. van Heeswijk ◽  
M. R. K. Mes ◽  
J. M. J. Schutten ◽  
W. H. M. Zijm
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mathematical Representation ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Urban Freight Transport ◽  
Urban Consolidation

The domain of urban freight transport is becoming increasingly complex. Many urban supply chains are composed of small and independent actors that cannot efficiently organize their highly fragmented supply chains, thereby negatively affecting the quality of life in urban areas. Both companies and local administrators try to improve transport efficiency and reduce external costs, but the effects of such interventions are difficult to predict, especially when applied in combination with each other (an urban logistics scheme). This paper presents an agent-based simulation model to quantify the effects of urban logistics schemes on multiple actors. We provide a detailed mathematical representation in the form of a Markov decision process. Based on an extensive literature study, we aggregate data to represent various actors in typical Western European cities. We perform numerical experiments to obtain insights into urban logistics schemes. The results show that most schemes yield significant environmental improvements but that achieving long-term financial viability is challenging for urban consolidation centers in particular. We also demonstrate that interventions, such as subsidies and access restrictions, do not always yield the intended effect. In a backcasting experiment, we identify conditions and schemes to achieve a financially viable urban consolidation center.

scholarly journals Multi-Criteria, Co-Evolutionary Charging Behavior: An Agent-Based Simulation of Urban Electromobility

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Lennart Adenaw ◽  
Markus Lienkamp
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
City Planning ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Simulation Framework ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Charging Station ◽  
Spatio Temporal

In order to electrify the transport sector, scores of charging stations are needed to incentivize people to buy electric vehicles. In urban areas with a high charging demand and little space, decision-makers are in need of planning tools that enable them to efficiently allocate financial and organizational resources to the promotion of electromobility. As with many other city planning tasks, simulations foster successful decision-making. This article presents a novel agent-based simulation framework for urban electromobility aimed at the analysis of charging station utilization and user behavior. The approach presented here employs a novel co-evolutionary learning model for adaptive charging behavior. The simulation framework is tested and verified by means of a case study conducted in the city of Munich. The case study shows that the presented approach realistically reproduces charging behavior and spatio-temporal charger utilization.

THE ARGUMENTATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF URBAN CONSOLIDATION CENTER FOR THE OLD TOWN IN GDAŃSK AS AN INDICATION OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN FREIGHT LOGISTICS

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (0) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Matusiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Historical Buildings ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Freight Logistics ◽  
The City ◽  
Urban Consolidation

Distribution of goods in urban areas is one of the most important factors affecting the operation of the region but the management of these services is often overlooked by transport policy makers in Polish cities. Historical buildings create additional difficulties because they make the infrastructure development impossible. It is estimated that in large European cities approximately 25% of CO2 emissions, 30% of nitrogen oxides and 50% of particulates from transport are emitted by trucks and vans. The doctoral thesis presents methods used to optimize distribution processes in cities with historic buildings in Europe and around the world. It also presents the results of a research carried out in the Old Town of Gdańsk and proposes a method to optimize distribution processes for the area, which was the main objective of the work. The hypothesis of the trial has been formulated as follows: locating Urban Consolidation Center not far away from the center of the City of Gdańsk would bring tangible benefits for the city and all users of the urban space. The study used a method of analysis and criticism of literature; detailed study of a particular case and the method of observation. According to the design model, the proposed solution will bring tangible benefits to all users of space – residents, businesses and city authorities. The results of tests carried out on account of this thesis were provided to the city authorities.

Modelling and simulation techniques for transport networks within urban areas applied to logistics and resilience

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Pablo Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Modelling And Simulation ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Simulation Techniques ◽  
New Methodologies

This thesis investigates the use of modelling and simulation techniques in urban areas of smart cities, also exploring how big data can be used to feed these models. These modelling techniques have been applied to two different fields that have been gaining prominence during the last years but where research is still limited: urban logistics and urban resilience. Through this thesis, the author has expanded the research knowledge in these fields by exploring different methods such as meta-heuristics, transport modelling, and agent-based simulation in order to define new methodologies to be applied to urban areas. Regarding logistics, the author has shown through the use of meta-heuristics that when traffic congestion is considered as a dynamic attribute to optimize delivery routes in urban areas, time can be reduced by 11%, which is crucial for logistics companies in a market that is fiercer every day. This is true not only for urban areas, but this research has also demonstrated that optimizing routes with dynamic congestion attributes is also beneficial at a strategic level for routes between cities. To consider congestion costs in real time, a new approach has been developed in which data from Google is downloaded to feed these meta-heuristic models, although other sources of big data could be also used. In this thesis, a methodology is also presented that has been used to model logistics routes in urban areas considering real-time data and with the flexibility to add different network attributes (gradient, traffic bans, CO2, etc.) to simulate different scenarios. This can be useful for logistics companies to optimize their deliveries (choosing between van or tricycles, selecting the time of the day to deliver, etc.) but also for public authorities to get guidance on different transport and urban policies (pedestrianization of some streets, traffic bans, etc.).As for city resilience, the thesis focuses on evacuation planning. A new methodology has been created in which agent-based simulation is used through interconnected sub-models to model a large-scenario evacuation scenario (flooding event as a consequence of a dam collapse). This research defines the data needed to create these models that can be of great help to improve city resilience, and also analyzes how traffic congestion can affect the evacuation procedures. Through the different research articles that compose this thesis, the author brings light to these fields by developing new methodologies and using real case-studies that can help urban planners, companies, and policy makers to create more efficient, sustainable, and resilient smart cities.

"Agent-based simulation of restaurant deliveries facilitating cargo-bikes and urban consolidation"

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Fikar ◽  
Manfred Gronalt
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Last Mile Delivery ◽  
Cargo Bike ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Urban Consolidation

"Last-mile distribution in urban areas is challenged by congestion and restriction for motorized traffic. To support operations, this work investigate the impact of operating urban consolidation points and facilitating cargo-bikes for urban last-mile distribution. Motivated by sample setting originating from the food delivery industry, a decision support system combining agentbased simulation with heuristic optimization procedure is developed. It considers a logistics provider who performs the last-mile delivery for multiple competing restaurants in an urban area. Therefore, both demand and the availability of cargo-bikes, which are operated by freelancers, are subject to randomness. Computational experiments investigate the impact of the available amount of cargo-bike drivers as well as the number of operated consolidation points, highlighting the importance of facilitating simulation models to support operations in highly dynamic and uncertain settings."

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