Can tramways be used for freight transport in urban areas? A case study in the city of Milan in Italy

Last-mile delivery in urban areas is a widely discussed topic that requires evaluation from different perspectives according to a system approach. The paper applies a freight delivery method that promotes multimodal transport using tram vehicles. Specifically, the case study related to the city of Milan, Italy, is illustrated to perform a preliminary technical evaluation of the adaptability of an existing passenger tramway line. The first step of the study involves the assessment of the physical characteristics of a particular tramway line in Milan, Line 4, along with general considerations of the fleet currently providing passenger service in Milan and establishing the potential freight fleet. The second step is the selection of stations along Line 4 where freight activities can be carried out in parallel with passenger activities; the third step concerns the identification of the best time window to carry out freight service for Line 4. The analysis is performed using GIS (Geographical Information System) tools, and line suitability assessments are made. It can provide useful information on how to adapt an existing transportation infrastructure to deliver freight, relieving cities from the negative impacts of last-mile logistics.