Environmental Informatics for Sustainable Logistics

In the first part we provide a review of the rather young field of Environmental Informatics. We argue that Environmental Informatics methods and tools are powerful means in environmental information processing for supporting sustainable development. In the second part we introduce a case study dealing with sustainable logistic systems for city courier services based on agent-based simulation methodology. New logistic strategies together with an increased employment of bicycle couriers and bundling of consignments seem to be appropriate for reducing costs, transportation distances, and emissions. By means of this simulation model ecological, economic as well as social implications of two alternative logistic strategies have been analysed and evaluated. Promising results have been found in the study by introducing inner city interchange stations for bundling deliveries for the suburban areas. It turns out that agent-based simulation methodology is a powerful tool for modelling sustainable logistic systems in Environmental Informatics.