The impact on urban distribution operations of upstream supply chain constraints

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and quantify the impact of delivery restrictions on costs and environmental performance for a distribution operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from a company and several scenarios with varying delivery restrictions were investigated.

Findings

The results show significant reductions in cost and environmental impacts are achieved when restrictions are relaxed. However, the research also highlighted the importance of adopting a supply chain (SC) approach to the removal of restrictions and the need for public/private sector cooperation.

Research limitations/implications

The case study is based on one company only. However, the company performs many trips each day to many different customers.

Practical implications

The paper provides insight into the scope for change in the SC decision‐making processes in order to reduce environmental impacts (and identifies limitations).

Originality/value

The paper is a contribution to better understanding the importance of logistics decisions and not only transport when considering urban freight problems.

Citation

Browne, M. and Gomez, M. (2011), "The impact on urban distribution operations of upstream supply chain constraints", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 41 No. 9, pp. 896-912. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600031111175843