Approach to urban freight transport problems: Improvements using the internet of things

Abstract

City logistics and especially urban freight transport is growing in popularity amongst researchers and citizens. Changes in consumers’ behaviours due to the e-commerce, stock reductions and rivalry of freight companies, are increasing urban transportation. Pollution, congestion and diseases are some of the economic, environmental and social consequences of city transport. However, private companies and the public sector are mostly maintaining a passive attitude, and some regulations are moving forward mainly because of social pressure. The paper analyses current and future transport problems; and additionally, it introduces technologies and methods to mitigate its effects. The Internet of things, especially smart shelf technology using RFID, can reduce traffic problems and its consequences, and also benefits other areas, such as marketing research.