大型の配送トラックは、毎日、食品や荷物などを都市へ運びます。

READING

Large delivery trucks bring food, parcels, and other goods into cities every day. However, they often become stuck in traffic and add to crowded city streets. Some planners are considering underground logistics systems. In these systems, small electric vehicles or containers would carry goods through tunnels to stations near shops, offices, or apartment buildings, where the goods would finally be moved above ground.

Supporters claim such systems would benefit cities. Fewer delivery trucks would need to travel through central areas. This could reduce traffic, especially at times when many shops and offices receive large amounts of goods. Streets that are now used by delivery vehicles would become less crowded. There is another advantage. Since underground routes would not be affected by road accidents or crowded streets, deliveries could arrive more punctually. As a result, businesses could manage their schedules more efficiently.

However, critics point out serious problems. Once tunnels and other fixed facilities are built underground, changing routes or expanding the system can be extremely difficult when demand patterns or urban development change. There is another problem. Heavy rain or flooding may stop the entire system, and earthquakes could damage tunnels. Such disasters could significantly disrupt deliveries.