An evaluation of the environmental impact reduction in the urban delivery logistics using tricycles: a case study in Portland, OR, USA

Abstract

In this study, we focus on minimize lifecycle emissions. In order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions along the vehicles lifecycle, Tipagornwong and Figliozzi model is applied to minimize the number of vehicles and distance traveled; because both distance and number of vehicles can be converted to greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike previous research efforts, the model presented in this research include all stages in vehicle production and recycling and also incorporates logistics restrictions (delivery time, cargo, customer distribution) and parking characteristics of tricycles and vans. In addition, due to the small size and payload of electric tricycles, more than one tricycle can be replaced by a diesel delivery van. Hence, it is necessary to estimate what is the number of vans that minimizes lifecycle emissions for this vehicle type. The model presented in this section was utilized to estimate the number of vans that minimizes lifecycle emissions while satisfying all the logistics constrains that Bline vehicles must meet. The lifecycle emissions model is presented below in the methodology section. Next section provides a brief introduction to transportation GHG emissions, and why it is an interesting and timely topic in the transportation research.