An emissions module is suggested as an add-on facility to common vehicle routing and scheduling tools in Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). Traditionally, vehicle routing and scheduling tools assist third party logistics companies and transport operators in generating the most cost efficient routes for shipments by minimising mileage and fuel consumption and increasing vehicle utilisation. So far, environmental issues have not been directly taken into account. However, CSR (corporate and social responsibility) standards are gaining importance as a competitive advantage. Some logistics contractors are already receiving requests from prospective customers to disclose the environmental impact of any proposed distribution networks. An emissions calculator as add-on facility to vehicle routing and scheduling software allows companies to rearrange their journeys under environmental considerations and thus to comply with pressure from their costumers and shareholders. The purpose of the emissions-module is to produce the emissions generated by a trip and to compare the information with alternative distribution strategies. The underlying methodology is based on a study which estimates emissions from road and rail freight transport in Britain as part of the LEeds Freight Transport Model (LEFT) series.
Abstract