Urban freight transport and city logistics policies: indications from Rome, Barcelona and Santander

The paper compares the characteristics of urban freight transport and the city logistics measures being implemented in Rome, Barcelona and Santander. The analysis is based on three similar surveys carried out in the last years in these cities where retailers and transport operators have been interviewed. The main objective of this study is the evaluation of the similarities and differences in terms of spatial pattern and current regulation, socio-economic characteristics and commercial structure, characteristics of freight demand and current patterns followed by different transport and logistics operators. Even if the implementation of homogenous measures at regional, national and, perhaps, at European level could be useful, the study shows that there are some different patterns of urban distribution that need to be taken into account when implementing city logistics measures in order to meet the wanted sustainability goals.