An assessment framework for city logistics in mid-sized towns

In this paper, we propose a framework aiming to provide a preliminary assessment and comparison of cities on the most important dimensions related to city logistics, thus preparing the ground for stakeholder engagement and solution design. The framework is also designed to overcome some of most relevant issues in city logistics research, such as lack of data and stakeholder engagement. First of all, the framework takes into account the different characteristics of a city: physical, infrastructural, social and economical features. Next, the framework analyses thestate of city logistic features, such as: access conditions, parcel solutions, low impact vehicles adoption, land use,and infrastructures. The dimensions considered in the framework are drawn from the literature. The framework has been tested on two European cities representatives of mid-sized towns that have initiated to redesign their urban logistics systems: Bergamo (north of Italy) and the city of Luxembourg. Despite of the similarities in the two cities, the results indicate also significant differences in the city logistics situation, thus leading to different priorities of discussion and intervention.