Analysis of urban consolidation centers advantages, disadvantages and causes of failure

Abstract

This master thesis will be devoted to the initiative’s evaluation, which aims at improving the urban mobility and decreasing the congestion, the urban consolidation centers. Many urban consolidation trials have failed, despite the fact that some studies have shown those initiatives’ advantages. This dissertation will try to understand the root causes of such failures and to reassess the urban consolidation centers advantages. Many of the advantages of consolidation only become apparent when sufficient volume is transported through the urban consolidation centers, located at the entrance to the cities. These new centers are struggling to acquire this sufficient volume since their use is an additional step and the cost of these deliveries is more expensive than direct delivery. In addition, transport perceive these centers as additional competition in an already highly competitive market where margins are extremely low. The reasons for this lack of success will be expressed in the second part through concrete cases and actions taken by carriers to reduce their costs while reducing pollution.