Review of Urban Logistics Vehicle Access Regulations from the Sustainability Viewpoint

In the pursuit of more liveable cities, there is a growing preference among authorities for sustainable passenger and freight transportation solutions. The majority of research has concentrated on the practical applications of innovative technologies. Nevertheless, in practical contexts, urban areas frequently implement access restrictions as a means of addressing the negative externalities associated with logistics vehicles. Although urban access restrictions for freight are one of the low-cost soft measures, there has been a paucity of research aimed at comprehensively evaluating these policies. The specific characteristics of each city and its regional economic context give rise to a variety of regulations. This study aims to comprehensively assess the existing access control policies related to urban freight by examining the capitals of 24 European countries as a case study. It analyses the implications of these policies and explores the future direction of sustainable urban logistics development.