Urban Freight Last Mile Logistics—Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Sustainability: A Literature Review

Techane Bosona

doi:10.3390/su12218769

Abstract

Last mile logistics (LML) is the least efficient and complex part of supply chain. The main objective of this study was to identify major challenges of urban freight LML and opportunities for intervention. For this, 42 peer-reviewed full papers published after 2010 and three additional references were used. The findings indicated that urban freight flow has a trend of steady growth. The main driving forces behind this steady growth are population growth, urbanization, densification, globalization, online and omni-channel (OC) retailing, and urban economic development. Using typology analysis, three main potential freight LML configurations were mapped and discussed. Freight LML configurations that involve light cargo vehicles and cargo bike-based delivery schemes could be more attractive freight LML models if the delivery failure is minimized. The LML challenges were categorized as technological, infrastructural, LML system and management, and logistic cost related challenges, and discussed broadly. Similarly, the potential opportunities were discussed from environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. Finally, this report has pinpointed future potential research agendas related to LML. The study could be a knowledge base useful for academicians and practitioners, logistics and technical service providers, policy makers, and customers.

Highlights

In urban areas freight flow is growing [1,2,3]
The search was done with search string such as “last mile deliver*” AND “review*” and “Last mile logistic* and review*”
The recent development in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a good example of radical innovation in city logistics

Summary

Introduction

In urban areas freight flow is growing [1,2,3]. This in turn increases transport related problems such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, congestion, air and noise pollution, traffic accidents, and damage to infrastructure such as road networks [1,4]. Industry 4.0 solutions in supply chain management using advanced technologies such as vehicle identification, GPS, and smartphone tools enables to carry out smart scheduling and real-time optimization of LML services [13,38]. Another example of radical innovation in city logistics is the adoption of 3D printing enabling consumers to produce products at their homes Significant application of 3D printing technology at domestic (consumer) level could result in some advantages These include saving materials (as structures can be hollow); elimination of reverse flows of damaged or unwanted products as consumers produce the product on-demand according to their preferences; and reduction of the ton-km and cubic meter-km of goods transport; reduction of the number of lightly loaded cars in the traffic. It is interesting to note that materials for 3D printing can be delivered from out-of-town warehouses to customers infrequently and in large quantity which could have environmental and economic advantages [36]

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Conclusion