The Limits of Public Policy Intervention in Urban Logistics: Lessons from Vicenza (Italy)

• Published in: European planning studies Vol. 21; no. 10; pp. 1528 - 1541
• Main Authors: Ville, Sandrine, Gonzalez-Feliu, Jesus, Dablanc, Laetitia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01-10-2013; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Subjects: Associations; Carriers; Court decisions; Courts; Decision making; Engineering Sciences; Europe; Freight; Freight forwarding; Freight transport; Italy; Logistics; Municipal law; Other; Public policy; Regulation; Restrictions; Stakeholder; Studies; Transport policy; Urban areas; Urban planning; Vicenza; Italy; Vicenza Italy; TRANSPORT DE MARCHANDISES; LOGISTIQUE; TRANSPORT DE MARCHANDISE; ZONE URBAINE
• ISSN: 0965-4313; 1469-5944
• DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2012.722954

For over 15 years, the subject of urban logistics has preoccupied many stakeholders, including both private and public decision-makers. The purpose of this paper is to present a study of the limits of public policy regulations restricting vehicle access to limited traffic zones to promote the use of urban consolidation centres (UCCs). After examining the main technical and economic aspects of implementing an UCC, we present the case of Vicenza (Italy), which has implemented very restrictive regulations. We study the municipal regulations and their legal consequences, by analysing court rulings issued between 2006 and 2009, following a lawsuit brought by an association of freight transport carriers due to these restrictions. Although this case seems applicable to a specific context, we identify several lessons that can be extrapolated to other cities. Therefore, the lessons drawn for other urban areas in Europe are presented, and their advantages and possible transferability studied.