On one hand, an efficiency improvement of distribution system is recognized as a pressing issue for economic development. On the other hand, freight vehicle traffic has caused negative impacts on living environment in congested urban areas. In Paris and London, the following measures are being implemented in order to achieve a balance between an improvement in distribution efficiency and mitigation of deteriorating living environment caused by heavy freight vehicles: (i) construction of ring roads which surround the built-up areas, (ii) siting of distribution centers in outer edge of the built-up areas, (iii) restriction or regulation of heavy freight vehicle traffic in built-up areas. This paper reports on the state of affairs concerning the issues mentioned above.
