Conceptual Design of an Integrated Solution for Urban Logistics using Industry 4.0 principles

The paper proposes a conceptual model of an integrated solution for urban logistics and passenger flows to reduce the number of fossil combustion powered commercial vehicles traveling within city, solely for goods transportation, thus contributing to reduce negative effects of urban logistics activities, namely pollution, noise, traffic congestion and accidents. For this solution, a bus network is used to combine the cargo flow with the passenger flow within the cities. After a literature review, a user-centered approach supported by interviews with key stakeholders was followed to define the concept, followed by solution modelling using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) notation. Thus, the high-level requirements will be presented based on a use-cases diagram and the data model based on a class diagram. Also, the automatic order check-in and check-out process on the bus is designed, using Industry 4.0 and IoT principles. This process is relevant since it speeds up the handling of orders in transshipments, reduces the possibility of human error, while at the same time enhancing control and promoting real-time knowledge of the delivery status of orders. The results of this study expand the knowledge in an area with scarce literature. In practical terms this study presents valuable contributions, since it specifies a solution for urban logistics that can have environmental and social impact in the context of urban areas.