The Impact of Double-Parked Delivery Vehicles on Traffic Congestion in Urban Areas

Abstract

Road traffic congestion generates many problems in urban areas, such as delays, increased fuel consumption, contribution to air pollution, etc. Urban goods delivery operations typically occur on the streets, which significantly contributes to the occurrence and amount of congestion. This paper investigates the negative external impact of double-parked delivery vehicles in order to perform loading operations when there are no separate loading areas. Therefore, the data on the vehicles affected by the double-parked delivery vehicles are needed for the purpose of the research. The data collection is conducted by video recording of delivery operations on the streets of Novi Sad (Serbia). The results of the analysis show that the total annual delays are 264,4 hours on two-lane street and 866,5 hours on four-lane street. The above results are related to the current state in year 2019 (base scenario). The delays for the year 2029 (projected scenario) are estimated to increase for about 135% on two-lane street and 90% on four-lane street. The research results will be discussed in the context of the sustainable urban logistics development.