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Cover of Urban Freight: Development of a Policy Framework to Support Safety, Efficiency and Productivity
Urban Freight: Development of a Policy Framework to Support Safety, Efficiency and Productivity
  • Publication no: AP-R529-16
  • ISBN: 978-1-925451-38-2
  • Published: 29 September 2016

This report summarises the work undertaken and conclusions reached as part of an Austroads project to develop a policy framework to enhance the productivity, safety and efficiency of freight in the urban context.

This report includes: an international literature review of urban freight practices, initiatives and case studies which could be relevant for Australasian urban freight operations; industry and stakeholder views expressed at workshops and gathered using market research; assessment and prioritisation of possible initiatives; and an implementation plan.

  • Summary
  • Conclusions and Recommendations: Priority Initiatives and Implementation
  • The Challenges of Implementation When Many Disparate Organisations and Groups Need to be Involved
  • Assisting the Transport Industry and their Customers to be More Proactive
  • Findings: Industry Consultation and Engagement
  • Findings: Literature, Best Practice Review and Case Study Examples
  • Glossary of Terms
  • 1. Introduction
    • 1.1. Background
  • 2. Present Situation: The Urban Freight Task and Business Models Used
    • 2.1. Business Models for Urban Freight
    • 2.2. Assessing and Understanding the Urban Freight Task
    • 2.3. Transport Modes
    • 2.4. Data Issues in Freight Activity
      • 2.4.1. Australia
      • 2.4.2. New Zealand
    • 2.5. Vehicle Types
      • 2.5.1. Australia
      • 2.5.2. New Zealand
    • 2.6. Road Types
      • 2.6.1. Australia
      • 2.6.2. New Zealand
    • 2.7. Freight Commodities and Format
    • 2.8. Freight Policies and Strategies
  • 3. Literature, Best Practice and Case Study Example Review
    • 3.1. Broader Contextual Policy Frameworks
    • 3.2. Physical Infrastructure
      • 3.2.1. Transport Infrastructure Based Initiatives
      • 3.2.2. Freight Building Initiatives: Warehouses and Freight Centres
    • 3.3. Transport Modes Other Than Road
      • 3.3.1. Rail
      • 3.3.2. Seaports
      • 3.3.3. Airports
      • 3.3.4. Road Rail Intermodal Hubs
      • 3.3.5. Waterways
      • 3.3.6. Fixed Infrastructure (Pipelines, Conveyors Etc.)
    • 3.4. Transport Equipment
      • 3.4.1. Trucks
      • 3.4.2. Materials Handling
    • 3.5. Operational Initiatives and Changes at Company Level
      • 3.5.1. Software Initiatives Such as Routing and Scheduling Systems
      • 3.5.2. Initiatives to Increase Equipment Utilisation Such as Double Shifting and Overnight Operations
    • 3.6. Commercial Initiatives at Intercompany or Network Level
      • 3.6.1. Software Systems to Align Freight Service Users and Providers (e.g. Backloading Offering and Seeking Systems)
    • 3.7. Governance and Regulatory Initiatives
      • 3.7.1. Pricing and Charging Schemes
      • 3.7.2. Environmental Zones
      • 3.7.3. Loading, Mass and Dimensions Type Initiatives
      • 3.7.4. Time of Day Regulations and Curfews
      • 3.7.5. Guidance and Advisory Panels
      • 3.7.6. Heavy Vehicle Regulator Initiatives
    • 3.8. Implementation Frameworks
    • 3.9. Summary
  • 4. Stakeholder and Industry Consultation
    • 4.1. Approach
    • 4.2. Method
      • 4.2.1. Industry Workshops
      • 4.2.2. Market Research
    • 4.3. Identified Urban Freight Issues
    • 4.4. Discussion of Initiatives with Stakeholders
      • 4.4.1. Workshops
      • 4.4.2. Market Research Interviews
      • 4.4.3. Infrastructure Improvements
      • 4.4.4. Transport Modes for Freight
      • 4.4.5. Transport Equipment
      • 4.4.6. Operational Initiatives
      • 4.4.7. Governance and Regulatory Initiatives
    • 4.5. Findings and Common Themes from Industry Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement
      • 4.5.1. Context
      • 4.5.2. Summary of Findings from Industry and Stakeholder Consultation
  • 5. Assessment and Prioritisation of Initiatives: Reference Group Workshop
    • 5.1. Findings from Prioritisation Exercise
    • 5.2. Implications for Government Policies and Measures
    • 5.3. Evaluation of Interventions
  • 6. Implementation Plan
    • 6.1. Initiative Areas
    • 6.2. Applicability and Deliverability of Initiatives
    • 6.3. Implementation Planning
      • 6.3.1. Harnessing the Combined Strength from Multiple, Disparate Organisations and Groups
    • 6.4. Assisting the Transport Industry and their Customers to be More Proactive
    • 6.5. Overall Implementation Plan
  • Appendix A Workshop Agenda – Auckland, Adelaide, Perth
  • Appendix B Stakeholders Consulted
  • Auckland New Zealand – Workshop
  • Adelaide South Australia – Workshop
  • Perth Western Australia – Workshop
  • Melbourne Victoria – Market research (telephone)
  • Queensland – Market research (telephone)
  • Sydney New South Wales – Market research (telephone)
  • Appendix C Urban Freight Initiatives Assessment Tool Used at Workshops
  • Appendix D Workshop Notes
  • Appendix E Melbourne City Council CBD Freight Vehicle Study Summary
  • Appendix F Market Research Discussion Checklist
  • Appendix G Market Research Findings
  • G.1 Sydney
  • G.2 Market Research Findings – Brisbane and South Eastern Queensland
  • G.3 Market Research Findings – Melbourne
  • Appendix H Day vs Night Wage Cost Assessment
  • Appendix I Industry Action to Support Identified Initiatives
  • References
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