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A Comparative Analysis of the Environmental Benefits of Drone-Based Delivery Services in Urban and Rural Areas

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  • Jiyoon Park

    (College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea)

  • Solhee Kim

    (Institute of Green Bio Science Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea)

  • Kyo Suh

    (Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology, and Institute of Green Bio Science Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea)

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, drones) used as delivery vehicles have received increasing attention due to their mobility and accessibility to remote areas. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts of drone versus motorcycle delivery and to compare the expected environmental improvements due to drone delivery in urban and rural areas. In addition, the potential environmental contributions of electric motorcycles were assessed to determine the effects of introducing this new type of vehicle. Changes in the national electricity generation plan were also examined. The results showed that global warming potential (GWP) per 1 km delivery by drone was one-sixth that of motorcycle delivery, and the particulates produced by drone delivery were half that of motorcycle delivery. The actual environmental impact reduction in consideration of the delivery distance was 13 times higher in a rural area than in an urban area. Increasing the use of environmentally friendly electricity systems, such as solar and wind power, would further enhance the environmental effects of a drone delivery system.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiyoon Park & Solhee Kim & Kyo Suh, 2018. "A Comparative Analysis of the Environmental Benefits of Drone-Based Delivery Services in Urban and Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:888-:d:137144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    5. Jinsoo Hwang & Kyuhyeon Joo & Joonho Moon, 2023. "A Study on Behavioral Intentions in the Field of Eco-Friendly Drone Food Delivery Services: Focusing on Demographic Characteristics and Past Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, April.
    6. Kähler, Svantje T. & Abben, Thomas & Luna-Rodriguez, Aquiles & Tomat, Miriam & Jacobsen, Thomas, 2022. "An assessment of the acceptance and aesthetics of UAVs and helicopters through an experiment and a survey," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
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    10. Bulim Choi & Seungwoo Yoo & Su-il Park, 2018. "Carbon Footprint of Packaging Films Made from LDPE, PLA, and PLA/PBAT Blends in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, July.
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    12. Agnieszka Deja & Tygran Dzhuguryan & Lyudmyla Dzhuguryan & Oleg Konradi & Robert Ulewicz, 2021. "Smart Sustainable City Manufacturing and Logistics: A Framework for City Logistics Node 4.0 Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
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