Research
May 1, 2009 by Brian Butler | Filed under: The EM Role in Greening Transportation
This review was accomplished as a literature study of 162 surveys conducted from 1960 to 2008 and focuses on urban freight transport activities to determine sustainability (economic, social, and environmental) and how to enhance sustainability. As part of the review, both data collection topics (delivery/collection trips, good flows to and from establishments, service trips, etc.) and survey techniques (commodity flow studies, freight operator surveys, driver surveys, etc.) are discussed with recognition that delivery vehicle activity is generated by the demand for goods and services. The review generated a matrix of survey techniques and how they can be effectively applied. Two import observations made during the review included the fact that freight studies are not publically available; however, public funding is often used to complete the studies, which should be pooled to make research more efficient. This article supplies valuable information relating to freight study techniques that can be used by the environmental manager.