Future freight transport models for regional and urban regions. A literature review.

This report provides an overview of the international scientific literature on models for national, regional and urban freight transport. The literature review covers the development of freight transport models in general and the need for (urban) freight models in particular, discussing existing freight models by types, characteristics and challenges. We further discuss ongoing trends and (potentially disruptive) future developments and implications for freight transport modelling. Because data requirements and availability generally are challenges, we cover strengths and weaknesses of existing data, discuss the potential of new data and “big data”, and assess data requirements for urban freight models (and potential sources). The report’s objective is to provide insight into how freight models can be developed to address analytical needs towards more sustainable urban freight transport (UN’s Sustainable Development Goals), and to capture medium- and long term trends to provide a better basis for decisions in an uncertain future.