A simulation framework for evaluating the impacts of urban goods transport in terms of road occupancy

This paper proposes a novel approach in order to simulate the impacts of urban goods transport on road occupancy. It combines both inter-establishments flows and households’ motorized shopping trips, as well as B2C flows. After a general description of the method resulting in an estimation of the movements, an actual example is implemented (city of Lyon, in France). Four scenarios are described and simulated, and then their results are compared. These results are promising and they take into account a large variety of flows (about 90% of the urban goods movement flows according to the classification of Patier, 2002).

► We propose a method to simulate both inter-establishment and end-consumer movements. ► The innovation arises on end-consumers modelling and global simulation. ► Both categories or urban goods movement are integrated to estimate road occupancy rates. ► An example of application for public decision makers is provided. ► This approach allows to simulate public policy choices and trends.