In the last ten years, major efforts have been carried out by European cities to tackle traffic congestion and related pollution. Access restriction to city centres has become a common practice based on specific transport schemes and innovative infrastructure. However, little attention has been paid to the urban goods distribution process, which is one of the major sources of energy consumption, noxious gas emissions and noise levels in urban areas. The main reason for this lack is the multiplicity of actors involved in the process.

The project is a response to the need to tackle increasing traffic congestion and related energy consumption, as well as with the urge of reducing the air and noise pollution in urban areas, the damages caused to the environment, to the historical and artistic heritage, and to the citizens’ quality of life. Over the past few years, the city of Lucca has invested significant resources to reduce the energy consumption related to traffic, and the noxious gas and noise emissions. The municipal administration aims to enhance the urban logistics services by reducing its environmental and social impact and by redirecting it to a sustainable development.