Logistics services have become crucial in shaping urban spaces and influencing urban dynamics. However, despite growing scholarly and policy attention in recent years, their implications for urban design remain unevenly addressed and insufficiently integrated across themes and methods. Addressing the challenges of urban freight transport does not rely solely on transportation perspectives but instead requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This study conducts a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol to examine city logistics through an urban design lens, guided by a framework of six urban design dimensions. The main objectives are to introduce an urban design perspective into the urban freight transport discourse, identify existing research gaps, and propose a framework for future studies. A total of 83 publications were reviewed. A descriptive bibliometric analysis shows that scholarly attention to this topic has significantly increased in the past two years. An inductive thematic analysis reveals four thematic clusters: (1) problematisation, (2) analysis of traffic conflicts, (3) curbside design and management, and (4) freight facility integration. By synthesising these thematic patterns, the study proposes research opportunities within each urban design dimension to guide future investigation. The paper contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive understanding of freight transport from an urban design perspective, conceptualising urban design as distinct from other urban research fields, and outlining cross-disciplinary pathways that can bridge city logistics and urban design.

This research provides essential insights for logistics stakeholders navigating driver shortages, rising costs, and sustainability pressures. By revealing how trucking and receiving companies evaluate CATS versus TTS, it supports evidence based decision-making, helping industry, policymakers, and technology providers assess adoption
readiness and design effective autonomous transport strategies.

Binnen de Spronggroep Low Impact Lastmile logisticS (LILS) onderzoeken wij hoe steden de transitie maken naar efficiëntere, emissiearme, overlastarme en multimodale logistieke systemen. Traditioneel stedelijk goederenvervoer is lange tijd afhankelijk geweest van bestelwagens en vrachtwagens die, hoewel essentieel, aanzienlijk bijdragen aan congestie, emissies en geluidsoverlast. Nu steden streven naar nul-emissie doelstellingen, verandert een reeks alternatieve bezorgmethoden (zowel traditionele als technologie-gedreven) het logistieke landschap. Eerder over het hoofd geziene modi zoals lopen, crowdshipping, vervoer over water en openbaar vervoer krijgen nu meer beleidsmatige aandacht. Lopen speelt een cruciale rol in de laatste meters van leveringen, vooral wanneer dit wordt ondersteund door microhubs en aangewezen loszones. Crowdshipping maakt gebruik van de dagelijkse reispatronen van burgers voor leveringen en bevordert zo sociale inclusie en duurzaamheid, al zijn er nog uitdagingen op het gebied van vertrouwen, regelgeving en arbeidsnormen. Evenzo biedt het gebruik van waterwegen en openbaarvervoernetwerken voor goederenvervoer nieuwe mogelijkheden om het wegverkeer en de uitstoot te verminderen.

This chapter “Sustainable City Logistics” explores how cities are transitioning toward more efficient, low-emission, and multimodal logistics systems. Traditional urban freight has long depended on vans and trucks, which, while essential, contribute significantly to congestion, emissions, and noise. As cities pursue zero-emission targets, a variety of alternative delivery modes—both traditional and technology-driven—are reshaping the logistics landscape. Previously overlooked modes such as walking, crowdshipping, barge transport, and public transport are now gaining policy attention. Walking plays a vital role in last-meter deliveries, especially when supported by microhubs and designated unloading zones. Crowdshipping leverages citizens’ daily travel patterns for deliveries, promoting social inclusion and sustainability, though it faces challenges regarding trust, regulation, and labour standards. Similarly, the use of waterways and public transport networks for goods distribution offers new opportunities to reduce road traffic and emissions. At the same time, technology-driven innovations are accelerating. Light Electric Freight Vehicles (LEFVs)—including e-cargo bikes and small electric vans—are increasingly used in dense urban areas due to their agility, low emissions, and compatibility with zero-emission zones. Drones and delivery robots are already operational in several Asian cities, offering flexible, contactless last-mile solutions, though most countries still face legal and regulatory hurdles before adopting them widely. Underground freight and Hyperloop systems remain in experimental stages but promise transformative efficiency gains for the future. Overall, the evolution of city logistics reflects a shift from vehicle-focused to system-oriented approaches. Success depends on combining multiple modes, supported by data-driven management, smart infrastructure, and coordinated policies. Sustainable logistics will require collaboration between governments, logistics providers, and citizens to balance efficiency, accessibility, and liveability in the urban environment—moving toward truly zero-impact cities. All authors of this chapter are member of the research community Low Impact Lastmile logisticS (LILS).

The transport sector is the second highest emitting sector in the Netherlands, with 19 % of the total energy consumption. Where other sectors are becoming more sustainable, the transport sector remains one of the most difficult to decarbonize, despite the many studies in this field. This research aims to gather a list of potential measures and combine them to reach an 80% reduction of CO2 emissions in 2040 for the hinterland freight corridor of Rotterdam – Venlo which has a high rail freight intensity. Literature study and expert interviews established a list of potential measures. Using an iterative normative scenario design approach, a list of 8 potential measures with corresponding targets was drafted. After computation, a reduction of 80% is estimated for the corridor. The results show that for this particular corridor, the reduction depends greatly on the availability and adaptability of biodiesels and the electrification of vehicles and vessels. In contrast, measures aiming to improve the logistical
efficiency do reduce the total energy required and could therefore alleviate challenges related to biodiesel availability and electrification, but have a smaller potential in reducing CO2 emissions.

De transitie naar een circulaire economie vraagt om intensieve samenwerking binnen waardeketens. Dit artikel bouwt op concepten voor de analyse van logistieke systemen zoals ge¨ıntroduceerd door prof. Kees Ruijgrok, en verbindt deze aan recent onderzoek naar Value Chain Collaboration en circulaire prestaties. Met behulp van kwalitatieve data, verzameld via semi-gestructureerde interviews, en kwantitatieve data, verkregen uit twee opeenvolgende vragenlijsten, is de relatie tussen samenwerking en prestaties op de Rladder van de circulaire economie nader onderzocht. Samenwerking blijkt sterk te correleren met circulaire prestaties, met name in technologie-intensieve sectoren die profiteren van gedeelde platforms en infrastructuur. Traditionele sectoren lijken te worden belemmerd door een gebrek aan vertrouwen en beperkte middelen. Deze resultaten benadrukken de noodzaak van maatwerkoplossingen om unieke uitdagingen en kansen binnen sectoren te benutten. Het artikel beoogt bij te dragen aan de literatuur over circulaire economie en samenwerking in de logistiek, als basis voor toekomstig onderzoek en praktijktoepassingen

This research advances the theoretical foundation by presenting a practical and comprehensive design approach for Connected and Autonomous Transport (CAT) systems. Using a morphological chart, this paper decomposes the complex elements of CAT systems into sub-functions, each offering multiple feasible options. By blending theoretical perspectives with practical insights, this study addresses a gap in literature, which has largely centered on vehicle autonomy functions, mathematical algorithms, and the broader benefits and impacts of autonomous vehicles.
The presentation will be of interest to TRB Meeting Attendees as it will help them to recognize the key elements of innovation and deployment projects for autonomous vehicles by various technology suppliers and logistics industry partners. In this phase, the number of different design parameters and options is enormous as most projects provide customized solutions. In the coming years, it is expected that dominant designs will emerge, but until then, the morphological chart will help attendees to identify and understand the differences between these designs and solutions.

Dit position paper beschrijft de visie van het landelijk Centre of Expertise
KennisDC Logistiek op het belang en de rol van logistiek voor een vitale en
duurzame samenleving. Daarbij wordt expliciet aandacht besteed aan de rol van
logistiek in het licht van de grote maatschappelijke opgaven. Ook wordt er
ingegaan op hoe de geschetste visie via logistiek praktijkonderzoek en hbo-onderwijs zo optimaal mogelijk kan worden ondersteund.

This paper augments current knowledge about synchromodality by investigating the factors that underpin the implementation of this logistical paradigm in an effort to inform managerial practice and public policy. Employing a conceptual model of drivers, facilitators, barriers, and managerial actions, we conducted a qualitative study with European experts on synchromodality. We identified drivers, such as complexity reduction or more efficient inventory management, and contextual characteristics (facilitators and barriers) that enable or hinder synchromodality, such as operational flexibility or resistance to change. Regarding managerial actions (components), we find that data governance and interfirm trust issues are salient aspects for sustaining synchromodality. Furthermore, we specified how policymakers can influence the necessary conditions and the health of partnerships for synchromodality implementation. The paper contributes to the existing logistics literature by studying synchromodality implementation issues beyond the optimisation frameworks examined by analytical models and beyond the technological focus of extant empirical studies.

Planning of container terminal operations is a complex task which requires the accurate scheduling of operations that are highly interrelated and uncertain. This study aims to investigate the integration of quayside operational planning functions under uncertain parameters, specifically addressing disturbances and disruptions by applying a reactive approach. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated to optimally assign and schedule quay cranes to multiple vessels simultaneously. The model will derive a baseline schedule that minimizes the cost of waiting and departure delays of vessels. To address the disturbances and disruptions, a reactive strategy is formulated to generate a rescheduling plan when two types of disruptions are happening; delays in the vessel arrivals and quay crane (QC) breakdowns occurring during the (un)loading operations. The reactive strategy will take the baseline schedule as input and derives a reactive schedule that minimizes the cost of deviations from the baseline schedule. Conducted numerical experiments highlight the accuracy of the representation of practical constraints including safety margins and non-crossing constraints as well as the development of optimal solutions for small-size problems. The study primarily addresses vessel arrival delays and QC breakdowns as key sources of uncertainty, often arising as disturbances and disruptions. Other factors, such as unscheduled vessel arrivals and variability in vessel handling times, also warrant further investigation. Despite significant progress in optimizing container terminal operations, substantial opportunities for real-time improvement persist. This is driven by the increasing demand for containerized maritime trade, associated disruptions, and the evolving nature of terminal operations as new technologies emerge.

Joint Corridors Off-Road (JCOR) is een living lab-aanpak van de Topsector Logistiek ter bevording van intermodaal transport, waarvan de ‘Off-Road Runners’ één van de pilaren is. Studenten worden bij bedrijven als 'Off-Road Runners' ingezet om gericht actieonderzoek uit te voeren naar de gezamenlijke ontwikkeling van multimodale transportcorridors. Het omvat de gezamenlijke ontwikkeling van bestaande en nieuwe corridors om wegkilometers, en CO2-uitstoot te verminderen en de kansen te grijpen om verder op te schalen. In dit artikel worden de resultaten van 5 jaar Off-Road Runners geëvalueerd.

This study systematically reviews the evolution, present focus, and future potential of floating ports/ harbours within the wider maritime industry. Using a bigram-based search strategy across Scopus and Web of Science, 884 relevant publications were identified, of which 140 directly addressed floating ports or related applications. A structured classification based on the “Elements of the Maritime Industry” framework revealed a strong concentration on construction aspects, with significant gaps in management, logistics, and ancillary activities. Keyword mapping through VOSviewer highlights a progression from safety-driven designs to sustainable, multifunctional, and climate-resilient infrastructures. In addition, the study introduces two working definitions; I) offshore floating ports and II) floating solutions for onshore/nearshore port infrastructure, to clarify emerging directions in the conceptual and functional development of floating port systems. The findings underline both the scarcity and growing importance of floating ports as a critical component of future maritime logistics and governance.

Planning of container terminal operations is a complex task, which requires the accurate scheduling of operations that are highly interrelated and uncertain. This study aims to investigate the integration of quayside operational planning functions under uncertain parameters by applying a reactive approach. A mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model is formulated to optimally assign and schedule quay cranes to multiple vessels simultaneously. The model will derive a baseline schedule that minimises the cost of waiting and departure delays of vessels. To address the uncertainty, a reactive strategy is formulated to generate a rescheduling plan when two types of disruptions, delays in vessel arrivals and quay crane breakdowns, occur during the operation. The reactive strategy will take the baseline schedule as input and derive a reactive schedule that minimizes the cost of deviations from the baseline schedule. The numerical experiments demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed approach to solve the integrated formulation under uncertainty.

The energy transition is reshaping global trade flows, introducing uncertainty into energy-related liquid bulk logistics, particularly within ports. Despite the significance of liquid bulk in global supply chains, existing port choice models are primarily developed for containerized cargo. This study investigates the key determinants of decision-making in liquid bulk logistics within the context of sustainability transitions. Using a multi-case study approach, including stakeholder interviews and qualitative analysis, we identify factors shaping infrastructure planning, port selection, storage, and transportation modes.

The findings reveal that logistical choices in liquid bulk are highly interdependent, shaped by supply chain structures, stakeholder dynamics, and regulatory frameworks. As ports might evolve into multienergy hubs, new actors and uncertainties emerge, particularly regarding the role of hydrogen and biofuels. Understanding these evolving dynamics is crucial for optimizing logistics strategies and ensuring efficient, sustainable energy supply chains.

De historische zeilschepen van de ‘bruine vloot’ varen grotendeels duurzaam zeilend, maar hebben aan boord ook oude dieselmotoren waarvoor – wanneer deze nu kapotgaan of op termijn wanneer strengere eisen aan uitstoot en geluid het gebruik ervan gaan beperken – schippers moderne en duurzame alternatieven moeten overwegen. Dit gaat om grote investeringen in bijvoorbeeld een moderne Stage 5 dieselmotor of een batterij-elektrisch systeem met een elektromotor en batterijpakketten. Om de investeringsopgave en kostenstructuur van deze motoren inzichtelijk te maken wordt in dit artikel een Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)-analyse gemaakt van deze twee alternatieven.

The Dutch inland shipping sector aims to nearly eliminate emissions by 2050 by transitioning away from fossil fuels. While alternative fuels are being developed, scaling them up remains challenging due to complex system dynamics, often leading to innovation failure. Existing studies identify scale-up factors but often overlook interactions between factors. This study examines the scale-up dynamics of biofuels, hydrogen and LNG. Scientific literature, news articles and interviews are analysed to construct causal loop diagrams depicting the main relationships between economic, technological, political and social factors. Six mechanisms showcasing scale-up dynamics are identified, highlighting the widespread impact of uncertainty–influenced by technical challenges, resource availability and fuel alternatives–and industry interest–influenced by cost–benefit assessment, technical challenges and resource availability. While biofuels, hydrogen and LNG show common mechanisms, resource availability creates key differences. A holistic approach addressing uncertainty and industry interest is needed to shift a system currently reinforcing fossil fuels.

Imagine ports no longer anchored to the shore but floating on the sea. As part of a bigger project on Floating Futures, our study explores the revolutionary concept “Floating Ports” examining the state and progression of knowledge on floating ports/ harbours and terminals. It investigates the current knowledge landscape and historical evolution, providing an overview that identifies key trends and research gaps, guiding future studies and policy directions. A systematic, keyword-based approach is used, initially gathering literature on “floating” concepts from key databases before narrowing the focus to “floating ports/terminals”. Two study groups are identified: those directly addressing floating ports and those covering adjacent but relevant concepts. The direct studies are categorized into four subgroups based on maritime transport elements: Maritime Shipping, Port, Management and Ancillary. It shows that current studies are heavily focused on the element of Port, highlighting the early developments that explored the Construction and Port Operator sub-elements in greater depth. Clustering techniques are employed to identify trends and gaps, providing valuable insights to guide the future development of floating ports and terminals. Before 2000, foundational research focused on fender systems, breakwaters, and floating berths, exploring structural durability and wave attenuation. Between 2000 and 2010, studies advanced the understanding of dynamic responses in waves, mooring, and hydrodynamic analysis, supporting floating terminals in complex environments. From 2010 to 2020, extensive research emerged on Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS), exploring tsunami resilience, modularity, and energy efficiency, showcasing floating ports as sustainable solutions in constrained spaces. Since 2020, research has concentrated on renewable energy integration and advanced performance-based designs, examining floating ports for critical applications like disaster prevention, offshore support, and energy conversion. Further, we recommend cross-disciplinary collaboration in maritime logistics, port operations, governance, engineering, economics, policy-making, and law to integrate expertise and further this research field.