In the literature, several researches have recently studied and described urban freight distribution. Most of the
studies propose general distribution models compliant with the City Logistics vision. These papers suggest
alternative network designs, investigating the advantages in terms of costs and greenhouse gases emissions. They
include the implementation of City Distribution Centers (McKinnon et al., 2012; Benjelloun and Crainic, 2008),
networks of satellite platforms close to the city center (Crainic et al., 2009; Perboli et al., 2011), modal shifts and
Intelligent Transportation Systems, ITS (Giannopoulos, 2009). All these papers are based on cooperative freight
transportation systems and carriers are seen as a service.