Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Urban Logistics - Sustainable Urban Logistics: Concepts, Methods and Information Systems - page 31

with Cityporto services. This information system allows to make a follow-up of the
freight (traceability functions) and the preparation of the different commands to be
delivered to each retailer. The freight traceability is made by the following
procedures:
• Each received parcel at the platform is identified. Then, a new tag containing a
Cityporto barcode is applied to the parcel. If the customer uses EDI to transfer
the command documents, the tags are automatically prepared in advance by the
system. Else, an operator prepares them when the parcel arrives.
• The parcel code is activated in the system. A GPS-based tool sends the code and
the geographical position to the central server of the system.
• The central server is informed regularly about the position of the freight and
which commands have arrived at final destination, in order to make a complete
follow-up process.
• The customers (transportation operators, service providers or self-transportation
commercial activities) can follow online the vehicle where their freight is on and
see the state of their commands.
The basis of Cityporto is its economical sustainability. Each year, an important
economical performance analysis is made. The main used indicators are the
number of parcels that pass each month through the platform, the monthly average
loading factor for the two categories of vehicles (city freighters and light vehicles)
and the results of the year's cost-benefit analysis. Cityporto's targets were to
achieve a non-negative balance at the end of the fourth year, and they were met in
the second. In 2008, the costs were covered by of the total income.
More specifically, the costs of Cityporto are mainly related to the logistics
operations at the platform. The infrastructures and buildings belong to Interporto
di Padova S.p.A., so they do not constitute an explicit cost to Cityporto. Moreover,
the first six vehicles were bought by the local public transport operator with
provincial and municipal subventions, and lent to Cityporto, who become the legal
owner in 2007. Another vehicle, the electric one, has been also bought with a
subvention of the region and also a municipal financial aid. Finally, the remaining
vehicles have been financed with Cityporto's benefits. In conclusion, only the
operational and platform management costs have to be met, and the system reaches
the balance conditions each year, having also small benefits to reinvest in the
development of the city logistics system (as for example more vehicles or material
to manage other classes of freight).
The goals of Cityporto involve the companies that follow a global approach.
This approach will favourise the development of collaborative agreements and
partnerships. At the beginning of the project, the number of customers was near
20. In 2008, considering that Cityporto makes only parcel-logistics services, the
number of customers is more than 50, which is big for a city like Padua. Most of
the transportation operators are engaged for long-term collaborations with City-
porto. Moreover, a soft drinks distribution company operating in Padua has signed
a partnership with Cityporto for restaurant and bar deliveries.