An emission model as an alternative to o-d matrix in urban goods transport modelling

Abstract

This paper presents an alternative method to O-D matrix for estimating road occupancy of urban goods movement (UGM). The originality of the model arises on three elements. The first is that the modelling unit is the delivery operation, with all the elements that are associated to it. The second is that it follows an inductive approach, starting from a rich database, to define different generation functions without a priori applying a defined mathematical framework. The third is that the model is an emission one, i.e. we start generating the number of deliveries that are shipped by the different urban establishments, and not those attracted by them. First, the literature in the field is reviewed. Then, the main methodological elements are presented. We present here the delivery generation procedure and the route definition method. Finally, validation results for both parts of the model are critically discussed.