Simplified scenario based simulation of parcel deliveries in urban areas using electric cargo cycles and urban consolidation centers.

Densely populated cities in Europe are getting more and more under political and juridical pressure because they fail in meeting EU directive 2008/50/EC, which obliges cities to reduce harmful externalities (NOx, SOx, PM etc.) caused by the transport sector. City administrations in England, Germany and France are even considering banning Diesel engines from city centers. Logistics could contribute to emission reductions by switching to other vehicles on the last mile. This paper proposes a simplified but very effective approach (SEAM) to simulate different delivery concepts by fulfilling parcel deliveries with cargo cycles instead of conventional vans. The number of parcels, the volume, the driving time, the contact time with the recipient, and size of the catchment area are considered. Five different delivery concepts considering urban consolidation center and speed deliveries are simulated with SEAM and economically and ecologically assessed.