City logistics : determination of criteria to evaluate locations for micro-depots in Frankfurt Am Main

Abstract

Urban freight transport is becoming increasingly important. Especially the CEP- (Courier-, Express-, Parcels)- sector faced an enormous growth over the last ten years. To handle the increasing shipments in a city, CEP-services develop different approaches to deliver shipments more efficiently and more environmental-friendly. Micro-depots are one approach which consolidates goods in the inner-city area in order to deliver them by cargo-cycle or by walk. The thesis “City Logistics: Determination of criteria to evaluate locations for micro-depots in Frankfurt am Main” in cooperation with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, deduces specific location criteria from already implemented micro-depot concepts. It considers barges, underground car parks and real estates as well as containers as possible micro-depot concepts. The evaluation of micro-depot locations in Frankfurt am Main covers two districts. On one side, the city centre and on the other side the east side of Frankfurt am Main which is characterized by residential and commercial areas. To evaluate the districts, it is assumed that micro-depots are most efficient in proximity to areas with high demand of parcels. To strengthen this assumption the thesis follows the hypothesis of an alignment between the number of walks per stop and the number of parcels per stop. Further the thesis elaborates whether it is feasible with the deduced criteria to determine precisely a location for a micro-depot or further criteria are needed to identify an adequate micro-depot location. Finally, the thesis elaborates whether there is one specific micro-depot concept for the city centre of Frankfurt am Main. After the evaluation, it was obvious that there is an alignment between the number of parcels per stop and the number of walks per stop. Further it can be determined that the exclusive application of location criteria is insufficient to identify one specific micro-depot location or concept. Real estates and car parks are the finally remaining concepts for Frankfurt am Main. To further precise the micro-depot selection, interests of stakeholders are considered. Finally, car parks are identified to be the most adequate micro-depot locations in Frankfurt am Main.