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Sustainability Aspects of Drone-Assisted Last-Mile Delivery Systems—A Discrete Event Simulation Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Boglárka Eisinger Balassa

    (Department of Corporate Leadership and Marketing, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Széchenyi István University, Egyetem tér 1, 9026 Győr, Hungary)

  • Réka Koteczki

    (Vehicle Industry Research Center, Széchenyi István University, Egyetem tér 1, 9026 Győr, Hungary)

  • Bence Lukács

    (Vehicle Industry Research Center, Széchenyi István University, Egyetem tér 1, 9026 Győr, Hungary)

  • László Buics

    (Department of Corporate Leadership and Marketing, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Széchenyi István University, Egyetem tér 1, 9026 Győr, Hungary)

Abstract

The goal of this article is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the application of drones in last-mile delivery systems from a sustainability point of view regarding CO 2 emissions and energy consumption. As commercial drones are developing rapidly, the application of such tools in the field of last-mile delivery and transportation can offer many opportunities to increase service flexibility, reduce delivery time and decrease CO 2 emissions and energy consumption. In this article, a discrete event simulation is applied to examine how the assistance of drones in parcel delivery services can influence the sustainability aspects of such services regarding CO 2 emissions and energy consumption in an urban environment. Based on factory parameters, a vehicle-based delivery scenario is compared to a drone-assisted scenario under ideal conditions. According to the results, within the simulation parameters with the assistance of drones, a decrease in CO 2 emissions and energy consumption is possible in last-mile delivery services, but more environmental, technological and financial limitations should also be addressed and incorporated to determine whether such a development is worthwhile from a last-mile delivery company’s point of view.

Suggested Citation

  • Boglárka Eisinger Balassa & Réka Koteczki & Bence Lukács & László Buics, 2023. "Sustainability Aspects of Drone-Assisted Last-Mile Delivery Systems—A Discrete Event Simulation Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:12:p:4656-:d:1169041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Osakwe, Christian Nedu & Hudik, Marek & Říha, David & Stros, Michael & Ramayah, T., 2022. "Critical factors characterizing consumers’ intentions to use drones for last-mile delivery: Does delivery risk matter?," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
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    1. Anna Kwasiborska & Anna Stelmach & Izabela Jabłońska, 2023. "Quantitative and Comparative Analysis of Energy Consumption in Urban Logistics Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Selected Means of Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-27, September.

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