Category «Research»

Geopost e-shopper barometer 2023 presents trends in e-fulfillment

In 2023, European online shoppers are returning to fundamental criteria when making purchases, as indicated by the Geopost e-shopper barometer. Key factors influencing their choices include price, clarity of product features, ease of purchase and return, punctuality, and delivery flexibility. These findings underline the continued success of out-of-home delivery and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platforms, aligning with observed …

PULSe: urban logistics solutions based on Eco-friendly vehicles in Rome

The new PULSe project investigates, analyses, and evaluates to validate the technical-regulatory-operational-behavioral requirements and environmental-economic-social impacts of two public-private, innovative urban logistics solutions in the metropolitan area of Rome. The solutions investigated will be:1. Shared charging/refill stations hub for electric and hydrogen freight vehicles,2. Service trips and reverse logistics with eco-friendly vehicles. In particular, the …

Research: designing zero-emissions containerized last-mile delivery systems

New research investigates the benefits of using swap containers in Two-Echelon (2E) urban delivery systems, which extend beyond the reduced handling costs and processing time in van-bike delivery systems. By drawing on the success of standardized freight containers in the international shipping industry, swap containers can substitute low-capacity vehicles in the first delivery echelon with …

A planning tool for improving the provision of loading docks

For freight and service vehicles entering a city, parking plays a crucial role in providing access to serve customers. This typically occurs on the street in designated parking spaces or in modern buildings in off-street facilities. Given the evolving priorities in urban planning and the consequent reduction in on-street loading zone availability, this paper delves …

Artificial intelligence will transform the logistics of consumer deliveries

Artificial intelligence will transform the logistics of consumer deliveries. AI promises to transform last-mile deliveries with some new technologies and improvements to old ones. The Wall Street Journal reports about it. Promising innovations are: Putting smarter drones in the air Sending robots to your door Predicting parking spaces Making the drivers safer Optimizing routes in …

Consumers’ marketing channel choice and the impact on logistics and operations

The emergence of digitalization has led to the creation of various marketing channels. Consumers now have numerous options for shopping in the fresh food and grocery retail sector. Analyzing their behavior is crucial for retailers. A recent paper offers a cutting-edge review of existing studies on consumers’ channel choices when purchasing groceries. The research A …

Carrier-provided freight data for improved sustainable urban mobility planning

Urban freight transport is expected to increase in volume and share of motorized traffic in cities. Simultaneously, stakeholders responsible for urban development lack access to detailed data on urban freight transport. Private freight actors, i.e., carriers, collect data as part of their operations, which could potentially meet the data needs within public planning. A recent …

Research: efficiency in the last-mile of autonomous vehicles with lockers

Recent research aims to compare autonomous ground vehicles with conventional and electric vans based on associated vehicle costs and benefits related to their use, considering economic feasibility. Cost per vehicle kilometer is derived using the total cost of ownership method adjusted with the inclusion of labor costs and the impact of solar panel application on …

Literature review: economic perspectives in sustainable last-mile logistics

In recent years, many cities worldwide have faced the impact of last-mile logistics and the resulting rise in urban traffic and pollution: these dynamics curbed the environmental effects. Urban traffic considerably impacts noise emissions, road safety, and air pollution. Hence, public and private parties shall undertake innovative solutions for reducing the negative effects of last-mile …

Multi-criteria assessment framework for the potential of cargo bike operations

Making deliveries in crowded urban areas can be challenging for commercial vehicles, producing additional negative externalities. In recent years, cargo cycles, including bicycles and tricycles, either man-powered or electric-powered, have been considered a promising alternative for making last-leg delivery. Although cargo cycles have various benefits, the operations are still limited by the nature of the …