The Development of Construction Logistics Structures

Abstract

Construction logistics has a negative impact on the urban environment. Therefore, in this study, construction logistics structures are designed for residential and non-residential development that should reduce the negative effects of construction-related transport in cities. These structures were made for the urban development project IJburg II in Amsterdam and were designed on the stricter requirements for construction logistics and construction activities drawn up by the Municipality of Amsterdam. To design these new construction logistics structures, the engineering design process was used. The requirements of the new structure were identified by means of a case study to the development project IJburg II. The new designs of subsystems were generated with applicable construction logistics centres and new types of transport derived from literature. This led to several new designs for subsystems. Out of these subsystem designs, three new construction logistics structures for IJburg II were developed. The three structures were tested both quantitatively and qualitatively on the new requirements which showed that two of the three structures fulfill the new standards. For the quantitative test, a calculation model was developed that calculates the vehicle movements and vehicle emissions for each design. The results of this calculation model indicated that all three designs significantly decrease the CO2-, PMx- and NOx-emissions and vehicle movements to and from IJburg II. The last-mile deliveries, however, remain unchanged or even slightly increase due to the deployment of light electric vehicles. The research proved that by changing the construction logistics structure, significant vehicle emission reductions can be achieved. In addition, a reduction of vehicle movements to and from construction sites can be established but will in most cases lead to slightly more last-mile deliveries. However, stakeholders need to be specifically engaged to enable implementation of these new structures. Last, this study demonstrated that the engineering design method is a suitable approach to design new construction logistics structures.