01366247

Component

Urban goods distribution has gained in importance in recent years since its optimization not only has the potential to increase productivity and efficiency of the operations but also to achieve broader goals related to the reduction of environmental impacts such as noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions. The focus of this paper is to explore the feasibility of a hypothetical freight tram scheme in Barcelona and examine the extent to which a scheme based largely on existing infrastructure could have a role in mitigating such effects. Two different freight tram scenarios are developed for detailed investigation: scenario 1 for deliveries and scenario 2 for waste collection. Cost benefit analysis was carried out based on the best available public domain information and with clearly specified assumptions. A waste tram scenario yields a high Net Present Value (NPV) and rapid return on investment due to the low initial costs and significant operating cost savings. On the other hand, in the initial specification the delivery tram has a very negative NPV due to high initial investment costs and annual costs exceeding annual benefits. A number of modifications were explored indicating that both the initial infrastructure costs and the costs and efficiency levels of the consolidation centres are critical to the performance of a freight tram. These results are in line with previous freight tram projects, where only those with a specific objective and few stakeholders have succeeded, suggesting that for urban deliveries systems organisational challenges may pose the largest barrier to its implementation.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AT025 Urban Freight Transportation

01362476

12-0952

English

16p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Benefit cost analysis; Delivery service; Light rail vehicles; Logistics; Trolley cars; Urban goods movement

Barcelona (Spain)

Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-0952

PRP, TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 4:58PM