Abstract
This paper presents multi-agent models for evaluating the behaviour and interaction among stakeholders who are involved in urban freight transport systems as well as effects of city logistics measures. Multi-agent simulation on a small test road network demonstrated that the VRPTW-D model which dynamically adjusted vehicle routing planning to the current travel times generated good performance in terms of increasing profits for freight carriers and decreasing costs for shippers. After applying multi-agent models on a large test road network, it was observed that introducing the VRPTW-D model generated a win-win situation by increasing profits for freight carriers and decreasing the costs for shippers. The results also show that the implementation of road pricing can reduce NOx emissions but may increase the costs for shippers. To avoid such effects, introducing cooperative freight transport systems helps shippers to reduce their costs.
