Framework for urban freight transport analysis in medium-sized cities

Abstract The urbanization process, especially the diverse aspects regarding size, function, position and growth of cities, significantly affect the Urban Freight Transport (UFT). This paper deals with behaviour of UFT in medium-sized cities. Here we will identify the attributes that characterize the Medium-sized Cities (MC), as well as the influence factors in UFT. In addition, a survey among specialists and public agents of medium-sized cities is presented, about the level of interaction between attributes that characterize MC and the factors that influence UFT. For analysis and validation of the opinion survey is performed non-parametric statistical test, and an analysis of the confidence interval to define the level of interaction between attributes and UFT factors. As a result, we provide a framework that demonstrates the interaction between attributes of MC and the factors that influence UFT. The factors “Projects and measures of local authorities”, and “Infrastructure available to the UFT”, together with the lack of studies related to freight transport (knowledge, innovation and technological advancement) were identified as the main issues that require attention on UFT in MC. This proposal may contribute to the decision makers regarding urban planning and brings a theoretical contribution to future research in UFT planning studies.摘要 城市化进程，尤其是城市规模、功能定位与发展态势等多维度特征，对城市货运（Urban Freight Transport, UFT）具有显著影响。本文聚焦中型城市的城市货运行为特征，将明确界定中型城市（Medium-sized Cities, MC）的核心属性特征，以及城市货运领域的影响因素。此外，本文面向中型城市的专业人士与公共事务从业者开展调研，探究中型城市特征属性与城市货运影响因素之间的关联程度。为分析并验证本次调研结果，研究采用非参数统计检验方法，并通过置信区间分析量化特征属性与城市货运影响因素间的关联水平。最终，本研究构建了一套可阐释中型城市特征属性与城市货运影响因素间关联关系的分析框架。研究识别出三类亟需关注的中型城市货运发展核心议题：地方主管部门的规划项目与政策举措、面向城市货运的现有基础设施，以及货运交通相关研究（涵盖知识储备、创新研发与技术进步）的匮乏问题。本研究成果可为城市规划决策者提供参考，同时也可为未来城市货运规划领域的相关研究提供理论支撑。