Multi-agent systems modelling approach to evaluate urban motorways for city logistics

Government road authorities are constantly faced with the challenges of urbanization and traffic congestion requiring them to make good decisions for infrastructure developments. Several developed and developing countries have focused their concerns on building motorways for private and public transports for intercity connectivity and economic growth in the past. However, very few evaluation models were concerned about urban motorways for the benefit of urban freight transport. There may not even be an evaluation model for urban motorways development, which has considered the routing behaviour of truck movements in urban areas, especially if the main purpose for the urban motorway is for improving city logistics. Faced with the problems and concerns of the road authorities in Japan regarding capacity increase measures or other freight management schemes, this paper is an initial step to explore and provide the methodology to support the road authorities in their decision for urban motorway alternatives.