City Logistics in Italy: a National Project

One of the key priorities of the latest Transport and Logistics Strategic Initiative proposed by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), (Ministero delle Infrastructure e dei Transport, 2001) is to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Italy's urban freight distribution network. In order to achieve this objective, the MIT has lent its support to a series of local projects currently underway in various Italian cities. These projects aim to co-ordinate the introduction of innovative policy measures, enhanced infrastructure, improved IT capabilities, and environmentally sound vehicles. This paper contains a broad overview of this major initiative, with sections dedicated to its background, aims and key challenges as well as to its on-going interaction with the project aimed at defining a National ITS architecture. Urban pilot projects are examined on a city by city basis with reference to the purpose, stated objectives and content of each. Finally the paper provides an analysis of measures designed to achieve economic efficiency and environmental benefits in the field of freight transport.