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Agent-Based Simulation Model for Evaluating Urban Freight Policy to E-Commerce

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  • Roberta Alves

    (Mechanical Department, Federal University of São João del Rei, Minas Gerais 36307-353, Brazil
    Industrial Engineering and Management Institute, Federal University of Itajubá, Minas Gerais 37500-903, Brazil)

  • Renato da Silva Lima

    (Industrial Engineering and Management Institute, Federal University of Itajubá, Minas Gerais 37500-903, Brazil)

  • David Custódio de Sena

    (Environmental Sciences and Engineering Department, Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Rio Grande do Norte 59625-900, Brazil)

  • Alexandre Ferreira de Pinho

    (Industrial Engineering and Management Institute, Federal University of Itajubá, Minas Gerais 37500-903, Brazil)

  • José Holguín-Veras

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA)

Abstract

This study aims to assess delivery lockers as a last-mile solution, considering the behavior and interaction among e-commerce stakeholders. In Brazil, a large portion of deliveries are attended home. This results in a large number of failed deliveries and redelivery attempts, which can reach up to three delivery attempts. Delivery lockers (DL) represent a solution to reduce the number of re-deliveries and consolidate the delivery of goods. The implementation of DL and the exclusion of the third delivery attempt are evaluated in this study via an agent-based simulation model (ABSM) in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Four scenarios were simulated by varying delivery locker implementation and the exclusion of the third attempts, which allowed comparable results to be obtained for each agent, in terms of gains and operational and external costs (emission, noise, and congestion). The scenario that most closely resembles the current situation was the one that presented the worst results. The implementation of the lockers brings improvements to this scenario in terms of reducing re-deliveries and distances traveled by trucks. When the possibility of three delivery attempts is excluded, the benefits are even greater. The deployment of lockers also enables carriers to reduce the number of trucks required to make deliveries, thereby increasing their profits.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberta Alves & Renato da Silva Lima & David Custódio de Sena & Alexandre Ferreira de Pinho & José Holguín-Veras, 2019. "Agent-Based Simulation Model for Evaluating Urban Freight Policy to E-Commerce," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4020-:d:251463
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Marta Viu-Roig & Eduard J. Alvarez-Palau, 2020. "The Impact of E-Commerce-Related Last-Mile Logistics on Cities: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Gómez-Marín, Cristian Giovanny & Comi, Antonio & Serna-Urán, Conrado Augusto & Zapata-Cortés, Julián Andrés, 2024. "Fostering collaboration and coordination in urban delivery: a multi-agent microsimulation model," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    5. Alexander Rossolov & Halyna Rossolova & José Holguín-Veras, 2021. "Online and in-store purchase behavior: shopping channel choice in a developing economy," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 3143-3179, December.
    6. Alves, Roberta & Pereira, Cecília Aparecida & Lima, Renato da Silva, 2023. "Operational cost analysis for e-commerce deliveries using agent-based modeling and simulation," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    7. Ramirez Ibarra, Monica & Saphores, Jean-Daniel M., 2023. "1,000 HP electric drayage trucks as a substitute for new freeway lanes construction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    8. Dietmar Göhlich & Kai Nagel & Anne Magdalene Syré & Alexander Grahle & Kai Martins-Turner & Ricardo Ewert & Ricardo Miranda Jahn & Dominic Jefferies, 2021. "Integrated Approach for the Assessment of Strategies for the Decarbonization of Urban Traffic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-31, January.
    9. Magdalena Mucowska, 2021. "Trends of Environmentally Sustainable Solutions of Urban Last-Mile Deliveries on the E-Commerce Market—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, May.
    10. Yi Jiang & Polin Lai & Chia-Hsun Chang & Kum Fai Yuen & Sihang Li & Xinchen Wang, 2021. "Sustainable Management for Fresh Food E-Commerce Logistics Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    11. Roberta Alves & Renato da Silva Lima & Leise Kelli De Oliveira & Alexandre Ferreira de Pinho, 2022. "Conceptual Framework for Evaluating E-Commerce Deliveries Using Agent-Based Modelling and Sensitivity Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    12. Reiffer, Anna S. & Kübler, Jelle & Kagerbauer, Martin & Vortisch, Peter, 2023. "Agent-based model of last-mile parcel deliveries and travel demand incorporating online shopping behavior," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    13. José M. González-Varona & Félix Villafáñez & Fernando Acebes & Alfonso Redondo & David Poza, 2020. "Reusing Newspaper Kiosks for Last-Mile Delivery in Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-27, November.
    14. Gabriele Iannaccone & Edoardo Marcucci & Valerio Gatta, 2021. "What Young E-Consumers Want? Forecasting Parcel Lockers Choice in Rome," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-16, August.
    15. Konstantina Katsela & Michael Browne, 2019. "Importance of the Stakeholders’ Interaction: Comparative, Longitudinal Study of Two City Logistics Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-17, October.

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