Modelling of urban freight movement can make an important contribution to understanding the pattern of urban freight activity and to the evaluation of policy, planning and operational initiatives aimed at increasing its efficiency and reducing its negative impacts. In particular, urban freight modelling can shed light on issues such as: (1) the contribution of urban freight vehicles to traffic and congestion; (2) environmental and social impacts of urban freight transport activity, such as noise and air pollution; (3) optimal vehicle routing, freight-distribution patterns, and optimal location of facilities, such as freight distribution centers; (4) the role of urban freight operations in the overall supply chain; (5) urban freight markets and the efficient operation of the urban freight-distribution system; (6) the role of urban freight in the vitality of the urban economy and functioning of the urban system; and (7) the impacts of pricing, and of regulatory and other administrative policies affecting the urban freight system. Modelling urban freight movements shares many features with modelling of passenger movements, and many of the concepts and techniques are transferable. However, at the same time, the urban freight market has many special features and presents unique modelling challenges. This chapter has presented a framework for modelling urban freight-movement patterns that is robust, transferable, and suitable for use by practitioners under a wide range of circumstances. However, when applying this framework, it must be remembered that every situation is unique and demands a model that is customized to match the particular situation and purpose.
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