Sustainable construction logistics in urban areas: A framework for assessing the suitability of the implementation of construction consolidation centres

Transport in construction is responsible for up to 30% of freight movement in cities, with a subsequent impact in terms of pollutant emissions. Different solutions have been provided to alleviate the negative impact of freight transport related to construction activity, although no guidance has been provided for replicability in cities. One solution whose potential benefits are being studied with the support of policy makers is Construction Consolidation Centres (CCC). This paper proposes a method based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and provides an index based on 45 indicators to evaluate the suitability of the implementation of a CCC in terms of the pillars of sustainability in combination with a technical pillar. Three real construction projects were assessed in Luxembourg City, Paris, and Valencia. Two critical attributes were identified: the estimated operational costs of the construction company and the potential demand level in the area. The results of the analysis allow for: (i) the extraction of knowledge related to the sustainability of the construction project, and (ii) logistics to be integrated into the planning and design stages of the construction activity. Furthermore, a general structure is also proposed for integrating other construction solutions where CCC is not suitable. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Analysis model to quantify potential factors in the growth of air cargo logistics in airports

This paper presents an analysis model that allows evaluating the growth opportunities of air cargo in an airport. For this, a model which identifies the elements that affect the capacity of an airport to attract cargo operations and air cargo airlines has been developed. The identification of the elements of the model has been performed through a sectoral review of air cargo, an analysis of the entire logistics chain including the physical flow, the documentary flow, and all the agents involved in it. The analysis of the logistics chain has been carried out from the operational, technological, socio-economic and environmental standpoint, considering all the factors that influence the competitiveness of the logistics chain. Specifically, the operational characteristics that an air cargo transport requires both at the airport infrastructure and the logistics operators level, the technologies for the handling of freight and its control (on land and on-board) have been examined. Other characteristics include the different types of products transported according to their characteristics, the associated supply chains considering locations and routes with their origins and destinations, and the existing markets with the main demands of each type of merchandise. The model has been developed by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process methodology with absolute measurements. This methodology considers the judgements of experts in terms of the weightings of the different factors and attributes that constitute the model. The Zaragoza airport has been used for the model assessment. Furthermore, minimum thresholds were established for the attributes. Thus, it is obtained a model that allows an analysis of the improvement capabilities of airports focused on air cargo activity

Modelling the problem of parcel distribution in urban environments and analysis of the determining factors

This research has the objective to develop a model for the location selection of Automated Parcel Delivery Terminals to optimize the overall service, increasing satisfaction and consumption of users and reducing costs. A combination of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology with a geographic information system (GIS) has been applied to identify the influencing factors and perform the analysis of the alternatives. A case study focused on the city of Zaragoza, and specifically to a Spanish postal parcel delivery company, has been carried out to assess the model behavior. For this, a representative sampling of the postal districts and sections of Zaragoza has been performed, identifying the characteristics of the study areas. Next, sections and all possible locations have been identified and selected for study. Finally, the AHP methodology has been applied for the prioritization of alternatives. Results have shown that the operative criterion, accessibility (both pedestrian and with vehicle), time availability and safety are the most important elements to focus on, for solving the location selection problem. In addition, the use of GIS allows analyzing diverse urban areas in an agile and effective way

Idoneidad de los procesos de diversificación industrial y tecnológica. Estabilidad de los resultados obtenidos con medidas absolutas en AHP

La diversificación industrial y tecnológica se revela como una estrategia que adoptan las empresas que buscan minimizar el riesgo derivado de la dependencia de uno o pocos productos. Sin embargo, esta decisión no es trivial puesto que lleva asociada una serie de inconvenientes y por lo tanto debe ser estudiada en profundidad. Por otro lado, no todas las empresas están preparadas para llevar a cabo este tipo de procesos debido, fundamentalmente, a motivos económicos (el proceso lleva asociado un coste), o estructurales (es necesario la inversión de recursos y la posesión de tecnologías clave). Este artículo recoge el marco metodológico propuesto en trabajos anteriores de los autores para analizar la idoneidad de los procesos de diversificación, que consiste en tres fases: (i) evaluación de la idoneidad de diversificación, (ii) selección de la estrategia de diversificación industrial y tecnológica y (iii) implementación, y presenta un procedimiento para analizar la estabilidad de los resultados obtenidos en la primera fase de la metodología al utilizar AHP con medidas absolutas. El análisis de la estabilidad de los resultados se ha aplicado a veintiséis empresas pertenecientes al sector auxiliar del automóvil

Identification and selection of ICTs for freight transport in product service supply chain diversification

Purpose - Following the methodology designed for selecting the best industrial and technological diversification strategy, one of the best methods for achieving the long-Term sustainability of companies, the purpose of this paper is to describe its application in the service supply chains (SSCs) sector, specifically, in freight transport in product service supply chains. Design/methodology/approach - The methodology used in diversification processes comprises four stages: Evaluation of the technological diversification suitability; selection of the technological diversification strategy; implementation of the diversification strategy; and evaluation of the process. Findings - The main contributions of the paper are: The proposal of a taxonomy or functional inventory for information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the freight transport industry (FTI); the introduction of a new concept, the technological shrub, a variant of the technological tree that allows interdependencies between the functionality systems; the construction of a technological shrub for ICTs in a standard FTI firm; and the multicriteria selection, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), of the best diversification strategy that can be incorporated by this standard firm for improving competitiveness. This selection utilises a "bottom-up" approach. Originality/value - The paper deals with the long-Term sustainability of companies by means of technological diversification strategies. Based on the taxonomy constructed for ICTs in the SSC sector and the identification of key technologies for a particular firm, a technological shrub is constructed and a multicriteria procedure is developed in order to select the best diversification strategy

Managing Biomass Supply Chains: The Importance of Strategic Leadership

This chapter explores the feasibility and advantages of integrated biomass logistics centres (IBLCs). These are centres aiming to collect residues from farming activities and transform these into new intermediate bio-products. Operations in these IBLCs aim to achieve economies of scale through integration of resources and business lines, while creating technical and environmental advantages for firms and societies. The experience from one agro-industry case study in Spain (fodder production) highlights the importance of leadership roles to manage the newly created supply chains, through the identification of strategic objectives and the coordination of operational activities. Hence, the scope of this chapter is to review the concept of IBLCs under the lens of supply chain management leadership. Thereafter, it will discuss the potential to transfer the IBLC concept to emerging markets, with examples for African agricultural crops