Integrated and sustainable urban freight transport system: new technologies and new paradigms

This PhD research addresses the pressing need for sustainable and efficient urban freight transport systems in the context of rapid e-commerce growth, rising delivery demand, and environmental constraints. Focusing on the last-mile delivery segment, the study explores the integration of innovative low-emission and autonomous delivery modes, specifically cargo bikes (CBs) and autonomous delivery vehicles (ADVs), within urban logistics contexts. The thesis develops and applies two complementary methodological frameworks. The first estimates the share of urban freight demand that can feasibly be served by small electric vehicles, considering spatial, operational, and technological constraints. The second introduces a vehicle routing optimization model that enables the comparative evaluation of CBs and ADVs in terms of operational efficiency, fleet composition, energy use, and environmental performance. Both frameworks are applied to the case study of Ravenna’s historical centre (Italy), using data collected through a detailed establishment survey and validated through computational experiments. A central contribution of the research is the development of an integrated demand-routing iterative model, which dynamically links freight demand estimation with routing optimization. This approach captures the endogeneity between logistics demand and system performance, providing a more realistic representation of how urban freight systems evolve under technological and regulatory changes. The findings demonstrate that cargo bikes and autonomous vehicles can maintain service efficiency while lowering externalities due to their electric propulsion/assistance, avoiding congestion and accessing LTZ freely, when supported by appropriate infrastructure and policy frameworks. The research offers methodological advances in modelling urban freight systems and provides practical insights for policymakers, planners, and logistics operators aiming to design sustainable and resilient last-mile delivery strategies.