Logistics operators for physical distribution of goods in Mexico City: a strategy for mitigating emissions

The National Institute of Ecology (INE) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) entrusted the Laboratorio de Transporte y Sistemas Territoriales of the Institute de Ingenieria-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, with studying logistics strategies aimed at changing the structures of demand management for goods transport in Mexico City, and at diminution of greenhouse effect emissions. The current study is aimed at: (1) analysing logistic practices of large distributors; (2) assessing the level of use suppliers cross-docking centres; (3) measuring energy savings and pollutant emission diminution for distribution operations using groupage system; and (4) drawing up strategic recommendations for managing goods transport demand with specific incentives. The paper presents the first results obtained: (I)comparative analysis of logistic practices for supermarkets; (2) the; state of the art for leading logistic operators (strategic alliances with distributions companies and suppliers); and (3) quantitative assessment of mitigated emission levels after a number of case studies from various metropolitan scenarios as a function of the use level of logistic distribution operators (cross-docking, storing and pick & pack system).