Abstract
Truck causes serious traffic congestion and environmental disruption, but it is almost the only mode for physical distribution in urban areas. It is urgent to improve these urban problems by means of more efficien trucking in urban areas. The introduction of the physical distribution center which is classified into the large area physical distribution center and the pickup &delivery center is one of the most effective countermeasures to improve the truck load factor in an urban area. Two types of centers should be arranged systematically according to the road network in urban areas in order to promote efficiency of physical distribution. As the physical distribution center could be considered the infrastructure of the city, the public sector is expected to make up the master plan of them from city to city as well as the road network plan. And the public sector must stimulate private sector's investment for the physical distribution center. It is not unreal to complete the whole road network in the short run, so that transportation demand management policy on physical distribution is necessary for better traffic and environment. It is also advisable to introduce such policies as “the physical distribution improving district” in city planning, land use regulation and the installation of pickup &delivery space.
