Zero emission freight transport and impacts on last mile delivery

Abstract


 
 
 This literature review explores mainly the challenges and potential solutions in urban freight transportation, for last-mile logistics. The growing number of delivery vehicles in urban areas has led to problems such as traffic congestion, competition for parking spaces, noise, and air pollution. To address these issues, the paper focuses on the last mile problem in transportation logistics and the potential of disruptive innovations, a potential of disruptive innovations such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Autonomous Delivery Robots (ADRs) as alternatives to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. It highlights the drastic operational differences between aerial drones and ADRs and the need for changes in operational procedures to fully leverage these technologies. The study also discusses routing strategies and delivery routes, emphasizing the shift from one-route delivery to a point-to- point model with the advent of autonomous vehicle technologies. The paper concludes that while these technologies can reduce costs and emissions, their effectiveness depends on the specific urban setting and operational factors.