Urban logistics solutions and financing mechanisms: a scenario assessment analysis

Abstract

T his paper presents the main issues related to the financing of urban logistics solutions , m ore precise ly to the contribution of economic analysis on strategic decision support related for urban logistics financing , focusing on cost benefit analysis. First we present the main funding strategies in urban economics, mainly in the field of urban logistics . Second we address the contribution of cost benefit analysis by recalling the main methodology and adapting it to urban logistics. Third we apply the method to the example of deploying a delivery spac e booking network, and illustrate the application via a set of three examples containing different situations and scenarios, which are presented , assessed and discussed . From the different simulations, it is observed that the way the system is financed has strong impacts on both its individual cost (for potential users) and its attractiveness.