Simulation of an Urban Logistic Space for the Distribution of Goods in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

AbstractUrban goods distribution, which is responsible for the continuous supply of commercial activities, is strongly related to the development of local and national economies. However, the fast and uncontrolled growth of urban centres and the high competitiveness of the distribution services also generate many negative effects. Despite the great population increase and the high development expectations of Belo Horizonte, authorities have not invested enough in city planning, especially the urban mobility of 196,000 freight vehicles fleet that moves along the main streets. With the support of simulation and optimisation tools, the current research allowed us to analyse the impacts of an Urban Logistics Space (ULS) operation in the Central Area of Belo Horizonte. It was possible to verify the potential increase of efficiency in the logistics system and the reduction of adverse impacts generated by the goods distribution in this area