Abstract

Food products are among the most frequently delivered items to retail shops in city centres and also need special attention owing to their perishable nature and quality requirements. The main objective of this study was to map out the segments of food distribution systems and determine the constraints and possibilities in developing a co-ordinated and optimised food distribution system in and around Uppsala city, to promote efficiency and environmental sustainability. The study was conducted by arranging a series of seminars, carrying out field measurements, optimisation analysis and emission estimation. Data on eight companies that distribute food in and around Uppsala city, distribute were gathered and analysed. Different tools were used successfully i.e. Global Positioning System (GPS) for field measurement. RouteLogiX for route optimisation analysis and MODTRANS (a Matlab based package) for emission estimation. Optimising the individual routes reduced travel distance by 39% and time by 40% while total optimisation reduced the number of routes by 58%, the number of vehicles by 42%, and the total distance by 39%. Consequently, optimisation could reduce emissions generated by vehicles by 48%. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Food distribution; Route optimisation; Co-ordination; Logistics; Freight transport

Published in

Journal of Transport Geography
2011, Volume: 19, number: 6, pages: 1456-1464
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Bosona, Techane

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Gebresenbet, Girma

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nordmark, Ingrid

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ljungberg, David

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
SDG9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation


UKÄ Subject classification

Transport Systems and Logistics
Economic Geography
Food Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.08.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/58857