UNCHAIN will provide local authorities with a collaborative planning tool to determine the optimal location and sizing of loading-unloading (L/U) bays. Based on big data analysis of historical data, direct feedback provided by logistic operators, and forecasted freight generation, authorities will be able to address the facility location problem by identifying the “hot points” with higher demand from logistic operators and with clear unbalance between offer and demand, also looking at correlating factors such as month, day or time. In addition to demand factors, street geometry, capacity, and other operational restrictions, e.g. turning movements, bus stops, etc. will also be considered in determining the feasible set of candidate locations for on-street L/U bays. Optimization models will be developed to achieve near-optimal solutions to the problem of location and sizing of L/U bays.
