This paper investigates a dynamic and stochastic vehicle routing problem with time windows that considers the use of multiple delivery options and crowd drivers, reflecting the synchromodality in the urban context. We propose a multi-stage stochastic model, and we solve the problem by using a simulation-optimization strategy. It relies on a Monte Carlo simulation and a large neighborhood search (LNS) heuristic for optimization. We conduct a case study in the medium-sized city of Turin (Italy) to measure the potential impact of integrating cargo bikes and crowd drivers in parcel delivery. Experimental results show that combining crowd drivers and green carriers with the traditional van to manage the parcel delivery is beneficial in terms of economic and environmental cost-saving, while the operational efficiency decreases. Besides, the green carriers and crowd drivers are promising delivery options to deal with online customer requests in the context of stochastic and dynamic parcel delivery. The resulting set of policies are part of the outcomes of the Logistics and Mobility Plan 2019–2021 in the Piedmont region.

Smart home is increasing in popularity within the IoT applications. This thanks to its ability to change house equipment into being more intelligent and interconnected and thus, delivering a connected life experience to the user. This paper investigates the literature and state-of-the-art on the smart home. Then, the paper presents a real case study that describes how smart home concepts have been applied to a heritage building, raised in 1922 and located in the City of Turin (Italy).

This work aims to evaluate a set of Critical Success Factors (CSF) that are important for port operations optimization. Furthermore, a set of 5G enabled applications is evaluated based on their importance for two typologies of companies located in the port of Hamburg, Athens and Luka Koper. More specifically, the importance of CSFs and 5G enabled applications and services is assessed based on the point of views of respondents working for technological companies and companies involved in the port’s operations, using Multi Criteria Analysis. Finally, the relationship between the CSFs and 5G applications and services is considered based on the χ2test of hypothesis. Then, the possibility to promote 5G applications and services as CSF for port operations optimization which will in turn increase port competitiveness, is discussed.

The concept of "Smart City" became widely debated, including different components for building a truly sustainable urban environment. In the literature, there is a huge number of contributions inherent to the definition of a smart city, however, a broad view of the field is still missing. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to provide a repeatable and scalable methodology that can be applied to unstructured documents on smart cities projects considering all the multi-facet aspects of a smart city (e.g., business model, technology). Secondly, to propose an analysis carried out with a taxonomy to a database of 25 outstanding smart city projects in Europe, to discuss the current direction in which they are moving, identifying success factors and analyzing new trends and future paths.

Data Marketplace will be the engine of economic progress in smart cities. To foster the new Business Models of the Data and the Machine-to-Machine Economy, there are two needs: managing the plethora of sources of data and link them by a trusted, decentralized and scalable infrastructure. The two disruptive technologies able to foster this innovation are the Internet of Things (IoT) on the data-sources side and the Blockchain on the data marketplace side. In this paper we present a distributed data marketplace allowing different actors to purchase and monitor data streams coming from the smart city thanks to the use of IOTA technology, a Blockchain specifically developed for IoT networks. The marketplace is public and can be the starting point of other IOTA-based solutions.

Interest in City Logistics has been increasing among scholars, the industry, local administrations and various stakeholders. In particular, a number of projects have been developing with the aim of overcoming the negative impact of urban parcel delivery and making it more efficient and sustainable, from both the operations and environmental standpoints. However, most of these initiatives are more focused on technical solutions, regardless of the potential long-term economic feasibility and fitting with the stakeholders' needs. In order to take into account the actual feasibility of CL initiative, this paper presents the case study of the Urban Electronic Logistics (URBeLOG) project, carried out with the aim to develop an ICT platform to support and improve urban last-mile logistics in two pilot cities, namely Turin and Milan (Italy). The definition of the business model of the solution has been obtained through two sessions of the Business Model Canvas wherein all the partners of the project together with a representative of the public authority have taken part. The project combines the emphasis on the ICT solution with a stakeholder-driven approach to business model design.