Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective
In response to the challenges of urbanization, digitalization, and the e-commerce surge intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, Smart Urban Logistics (SUL) has become a key framework for addressing last-mile delivery issues, congestion, and environmental impacts. This study introduces a System Dynamic...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7882 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849406816388120576 |
|---|---|
| author | Gaetana Rubino Domenico Gattuso Manfred Gronalt |
| author_facet | Gaetana Rubino Domenico Gattuso Manfred Gronalt |
| author_sort | Gaetana Rubino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In response to the challenges of urbanization, digitalization, and the e-commerce surge intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, Smart Urban Logistics (SUL) has become a key framework for addressing last-mile delivery issues, congestion, and environmental impacts. This study introduces a System Dynamics (SD)-based approach to investigate how urban logistics and access management policies may interact. At the center, there is a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) that illustrates dynamic interdependencies among fleet composition, access regulations, logistics productivity, and environmental externalities. The CLD is a conceptual basis for future stock-and-flow simulations to support data-driven decision-making. The approach highlights the importance of route optimization, dynamic access control, and smart parking management systems as strategic tools, increasingly enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT, big data analytics, AI, and cyber-physical systems, which support real-time monitoring and adaptive planning. In alignment with the Industry 5.0 paradigm, this technological integration is paired with social and environmental sustainability goals. The study also emphasizes public–private collaboration in designing access policies and promoting alternative fuel vehicle adoption, supported by specific incentives. These coordinated efforts contribute to achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, fostering a cleaner, more efficient, and inclusive urban logistics ecosystem. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d1ae413562147e5842ae2e2f8232f29 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d1ae413562147e5842ae2e2f8232f292025-08-20T03:36:15ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514788210.3390/app15147882Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics PerspectiveGaetana Rubino0Domenico Gattuso1Manfred Gronalt2Department of Civil, Energy, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICEAM), Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, ItalyDepartment of Civil, Energy, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICEAM), Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, ItalyInstitute of Production and Logistics, BOKU University, 1180 Vienna, AustriaIn response to the challenges of urbanization, digitalization, and the e-commerce surge intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, Smart Urban Logistics (SUL) has become a key framework for addressing last-mile delivery issues, congestion, and environmental impacts. This study introduces a System Dynamics (SD)-based approach to investigate how urban logistics and access management policies may interact. At the center, there is a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) that illustrates dynamic interdependencies among fleet composition, access regulations, logistics productivity, and environmental externalities. The CLD is a conceptual basis for future stock-and-flow simulations to support data-driven decision-making. The approach highlights the importance of route optimization, dynamic access control, and smart parking management systems as strategic tools, increasingly enabled by Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT, big data analytics, AI, and cyber-physical systems, which support real-time monitoring and adaptive planning. In alignment with the Industry 5.0 paradigm, this technological integration is paired with social and environmental sustainability goals. The study also emphasizes public–private collaboration in designing access policies and promoting alternative fuel vehicle adoption, supported by specific incentives. These coordinated efforts contribute to achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, fostering a cleaner, more efficient, and inclusive urban logistics ecosystem.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7882smart urban logistics (SUL)system dynamics (SD)causal loop diagram (CLD)Industry 4.0 technologiessustainability and access policies |
| spellingShingle | Gaetana Rubino Domenico Gattuso Manfred Gronalt Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective Applied Sciences smart urban logistics (SUL) system dynamics (SD) causal loop diagram (CLD) Industry 4.0 technologies sustainability and access policies |
| title | Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective |
| title_full | Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective |
| title_short | Modeling the Interactions Between Smart Urban Logistics and Urban Access Management: A System Dynamics Perspective |
| title_sort | modeling the interactions between smart urban logistics and urban access management a system dynamics perspective |
| topic | smart urban logistics (SUL) system dynamics (SD) causal loop diagram (CLD) Industry 4.0 technologies sustainability and access policies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7882 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gaetanarubino modelingtheinteractionsbetweensmarturbanlogisticsandurbanaccessmanagementasystemdynamicsperspective AT domenicogattuso modelingtheinteractionsbetweensmarturbanlogisticsandurbanaccessmanagementasystemdynamicsperspective AT manfredgronalt modelingtheinteractionsbetweensmarturbanlogisticsandurbanaccessmanagementasystemdynamicsperspective |