CONSTRUCTION OF INTEGRATED LOCAL-AREA PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS WITH ROADWAY NETWORKS

Recently, freight distribution in Japan for just-in-time delivery services and the small amount of multi-frequency transportation has increased. Consequently, freight car traffic has increased and is causing problems, such as traffic congestion and deterioration of the environment, particularly in large cities. The government is now required to view road traffic measures in terms of overall distribution. The Ministry of Construction is promoting the construction of a local-area physical distribution center where a highly automated and systematized logistic center, truck terminal, and information computer center are consolidated at the outer edge of a downtown area. The local-area physical distribution center is constructed as a terminal of the road network on the super highway or high standard truck line road. This paper summarizes the current state and the problem of freight distribution in Japan and describes the construction of a local-area physical distribution center combined with the road. In addition, it also describes various facilities constructed in the local-area physical distribution center and their role as well as the support measures for the construction of roads and information systems. In conclusion, the paper describes the influence on the road traffic environment and the problems encountered during promotion of the project.