Assignment 1: Report on Innovation in Transportation

Assignment Details

Background

According to Taylor (2005, p. 1) in The City Logistics paradigm for urban freight transport (Links to an external site.), 'City logistics is the study of the dynamic management and operations of urban freight transport and distribution systems. The aim is to deliver a win-win for business and the community by ensuring optimum productivity, reliability and customer service whilst reducing environmental impacts, air pollution emissions, energy consumption and traffic congestion'.

Freight transport activity in urban areas has become an interesting area of research for both academia and industry. Due to rapid and diverse changes in the shopping behaviour of consumers, particularly towards more e-commerce and online shopping, our cities are experiencing new challenges in terms of traffic congestion and environmental issues.

The task

For this assignment you are required to prepare an academic report on the subject of: City logistics in the context of transportation management: challenges, opportunities and the role of technology.

Your report could potentially address the following areas:

• Defining the term 'City logistics' in relation to supply chain management.
• Discussing the factors influencing the recent increase in city logistics activity.
• Identifying different business models (e.g. online shopping).
• Identifying and designing an innovative solution to carry out the city logistics task.
• Discussing how shared economy models could contribute to more productive and sustainable city logistics practices.
• How technology will impact the future city logistics business models (Part of your conclusion section). 

Report structure

A report format is required for this assignment.

Suggested report structure

1. Introduction
2. Responses to report subject question (use appropriate headings and sub-headings).
3. Conclusion
4. Reference list.*

* The reference list is not included in the word count.

You should include a minimum of eight different academic sources. The reference list is not included in the word count.

NOTE: It is important that you include quality references e.g. peer-review journal articles, credible scientific publications and conference papers.