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The Integration of Urban Freight in Public Transportation: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Amine Mohamed El Amrani

    (Euromed Polytechnic School, Euromed University of Fes, Fez 30030, Morocco)

  • Mouhsene Fri

    (Euromed Polytechnic School, Euromed University of Fes, Fez 30030, Morocco)

  • Othmane Benmoussa

    (Euromed Polytechnic School, Euromed University of Fes, Fez 30030, Morocco)

  • Naoufal Rouky

    (Artificial Intelligence Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Hassan First University, Settat 26000, Morocco)

Abstract

Urban logistics face growing complexity as cities seek sustainable development pathways; one solution is integrating freight transportation with public transit. The purpose of this study is to evaluate current practices, identify gaps, and highlight opportunities for advancement in this field. Through a comprehensive literature review guided by four research questions, this study evaluates methodologies, vehicle choices, the application of intermodal containers, and the shared use of public transportation infrastructure for freight delivery. A meticulous search methodology was employed to select references, which were then analyzed and classified into two main tables. Findings reveal a progression from initial pilot projects and cost analyses to sophisticated planning and optimization challenges, with a focus on metro networks and buses. This study uncovers a predilection for certain research types, the utilization of varied transportation modes, underexplored intermodal container use, and an emerging emphasis on transshipment operations. The integration of freight and public transportation within urban settings is identified as a dynamic and diversifying field, with significant potential for contributing to sustainable urban development. We outline nine areas for future research, including the incorporation of external costs and congestion effects into optimization models, and the exploration of unmanned vehicles, thereby laying the groundwork for more inclusive and efficient urban logistics solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Amine Mohamed El Amrani & Mouhsene Fri & Othmane Benmoussa & Naoufal Rouky, 2024. "The Integration of Urban Freight in Public Transportation: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5286-:d:1419589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nieto-Isaza, Santiago & Fontaine, Pirmin & Minner, Stefan, 2022. "The value of stochastic crowd resources and strategic location of mini-depots for last-mile delivery: A Benders decomposition approach," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 62-79.
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    3. Ozturk, Onur & Patrick, Jonathan, 2018. "An optimization model for freight transport using urban rail transit," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(3), pages 1110-1121.
    4. Paulina Golinska-Dawson & Kanchana Sethanan, 2023. "Sustainable Urban Freight for Energy-Efficient Smart Cities—Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Veaceslav Ghilas & Jean-François Cordeau & Emrah Demir & Tom Van Woensel, 2018. "Branch-and-Price for the Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows and Scheduled Lines," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(5), pages 1191-1210, October.
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    9. Di, Zhen & Yang, Lixing & Shi, Jungang & Zhou, Housheng & Yang, Kai & Gao, Ziyou, 2022. "Joint optimization of carriage arrangement and flow control in a metro-based underground logistics system," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 1-23.
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