Transport Logistics

iii) Need to prevent negative consequences of ICT

Although ICT provides opportunities to achieve advanced logistics systems, quick changes in the

configuration of supply chains may also occur, in which possible negative effects are not taken into

account. Here, policy intervention may be necessary. For example, e-commerce and the application of

direct consumer logistics may reduce the size of shipments and increase the number of deliveries. As

long as electronically purchased products are small and two-dimensional (i.e. fit in the letterbox),

distribution systems are likely to remain much the same.  However, with larger or three-dimensional

packages, distribution structures will have to change.

This may have negative effects on transport efficiency and sustainability, particularly in urban

areas. In order to prevent negative consequences, there is a need for policies that can promote the

emergence of new logistics systems with increased capacity for consolidation and efficient distribution

so that an increase in demand for transport will not necessarily lead to an increase in traffic. Hence,

regulations in other sectors of the economy may need to be reformed to avoid unintended increases in

transport demand.