IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i3p2774-d1056750.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Autonomous Delivery Solutions for Last-Mile Logistics Operations: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Valeska Engesser

    (Research Group Mobilise, Department BUTO—Business Technology and Operations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
    Research Group Mobi, Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Centre, Department BUTO—Business Technology and Operations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Evy Rombaut

    (Research Group Mobi, Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Centre, Department BUTO—Business Technology and Operations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Lieselot Vanhaverbeke

    (Research Group Mobi, Mobility, Logistics and Automotive Technology Research Centre, Department BUTO—Business Technology and Operations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Philippe Lebeau

    (Research Group Mobilise, Department BUTO—Business Technology and Operations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

Abstract

The implementation of autonomous delivery solutions in last-mile logistics operations is considered promising. Autonomous delivery solutions can help in tackling urban challenges related to last-mile logistics operations. Urbanization creates higher mobility and transportation demand, which contributes to increased congestion levels, traffic, air pollution, and accident rates. Moreover, mega-trends, such as e-commerce, demand that logistics companies react to increased customer expectations in terms of delivery time and service. Concerning service, electrified autonomous delivery solutions have the potential to operate 24/7 and can help to overcome driver shortages. This paper conducts a systematic literature review. Based on the literature set, a snowballing procedure was applied. Complementary gray literature was included. This work discusses different autonomous delivery solutions such as Autonomous Delivery Robots (ADRs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), two- or multi-tiered systems, and the concept of passenger and freight integration. The work presents advantages and disadvantages, enabling the comparison of solutions. Furthermore, a research agenda is provided, from which practical-managerial and theoretical implications can be derived. The research agenda can help researchers, manufacturers, businesses, and governmental institutions to prepare for the arrival and subsequent implementation of autonomous delivery services. Various implications related to energy demand, legislation, implementation strategy, training, and risk and safety are presented. The outcome of this work calls for collaboration among various stakeholders, encourages mutual learning, and hints at the importance of national and international development projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeska Engesser & Evy Rombaut & Lieselot Vanhaverbeke & Philippe Lebeau, 2023. "Autonomous Delivery Solutions for Last-Mile Logistics Operations: A Literature Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2774-:d:1056750
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/3/2774/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/3/2774/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Konstantina Anastasiadou, 2021. "Sustainable Mobility Driven Prioritization of New Vehicle Technologies, Based on a New Decision-Aiding Methodology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Luigi Ranieri & Salvatore Digiesi & Bartolomeo Silvestri & Michele Roccotelli, 2018. "A Review of Last Mile Logistics Innovations in an Externalities Cost Reduction Vision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Wang, Yuan & Zhang, Dongxiang & Liu, Qing & Shen, Fumin & Lee, Loo Hay, 2016. "Towards enhancing the last-mile delivery: An effective crowd-tasking model with scalable solutions," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 279-293.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Miloš Veljović & Snežana Tadić & Mladen Krstić, 2024. "Last Word in Last-Mile Logistics: A Novel Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model for Ranking Industry 4.0 Technologies," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-30, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jacek Buko & Marek Bulsa & Adam Makowski, 2022. "Spatial Premises and Key Conditions for the Use of UAVs for Delivery of Items on the Example of the Polish Courier and Postal Services Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Baldi, Mauro Maria & Manerba, Daniele & Perboli, Guido & Tadei, Roberto, 2019. "A Generalized Bin Packing Problem for parcel delivery in last-mile logistics," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(3), pages 990-999.
    3. Qiyuan Deng & Xin Fang & Yun Fong Lim, 2021. "Urban Consolidation Center or Peer‐to‐Peer Platform? The Solution to Urban Last‐Mile Delivery," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(4), pages 997-1013, April.
    4. Kexin Bi & Mengke Yang & Latif Zahid & Xiaoguang Zhou, 2020. "A New Solution for City Distribution to Achieve Environmental Benefits within the Trend of Green Logistics: A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-25, October.
    5. Fernanda Alves de Araújo & João Gilberto Mendes dos Reis & Marcia Terra da Silva & Emel Aktas, 2022. "A Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Model to Evaluate Logistics Service Expectations and Delivery Methods in Last-Mile Delivery in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    6. Raúl Martín-Santamaría & Ana D. López-Sánchez & María Luisa Delgado-Jalón & J. Manuel Colmenar, 2021. "An Efficient Algorithm for Crowd Logistics Optimization," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-19, March.
    7. Dariusz Milewski & Beata Milewska, 2021. "The Energy Efficiency of the Last Mile in the E-Commerce Distribution in the Context the COVID-19 Pandemic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-13, November.
    8. Sören Lauenstein & Christoph Schank, 2022. "Design of a Sustainable Last Mile in Urban Logistics—A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, May.
    9. Nils Boysen & Stefan Fedtke & Stefan Schwerdfeger, 2021. "Last-mile delivery concepts: a survey from an operational research perspective," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 43(1), pages 1-58, March.
    10. Malik, Leeza & Tiwari, Geetam & Biswas, Udayin & Woxenius, Johan, 2021. "Estimating urban freight flow using limited data: The case of Delhi, India," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    11. John Olsson & Daniel Hellström & Henrik Pålsson, 2019. "Framework of Last Mile Logistics Research: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-25, December.
    12. 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.
    13. Akeb, Hakim & Moncef, Btissam & Durand, Bruno, 2018. "Building a collaborative solution in dense urban city settings to enhance parcel delivery: An effective crowd model in Paris," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 223-233.
    14. Juan Guillermo Urzúa-Morales & Juan Pedro Sepulveda-Rojas & Miguel Alfaro & Guillermo Fuertes & Rodrigo Ternero & Manuel Vargas, 2020. "Logistic Modeling of the Last Mile: Case Study Santiago, Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    15. Lin, Yun Hui & Wang, Yuan & He, Dongdong & Lee, Loo Hay, 2020. "Last-mile delivery: Optimal locker location under multinomial logit choice model," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    16. Tapia, Rodrigo J. & Kourounioti, Ioanna & Thoen, Sebastian & de Bok, Michiel & Tavasszy, Lori, 2023. "A disaggregate model of passenger-freight matching in crowdshipping services," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    17. Ermagun, Alireza & Stathopoulos, Amanda, 2018. "To bid or not to bid: An empirical study of the supply determinants of crowd-shipping," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 468-483.
    18. Pedro A. P. Dias & Hugo Yoshizaki & Patricia Favero & Jose Geraldo Vidal Vieira, 2019. "Daytime or Overnight Deliveries? Perceptions of Drivers and Retailers in São Paulo City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-16, November.
    19. Horner, Hannah & Pazour, Jennifer & Mitchell, John E., 2021. "Optimizing driver menus under stochastic selection behavior for ridesharing and crowdsourced delivery," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    20. Mishra, Sabyasachee & Sharma, Ishant & Pani, Agnivesh, 2023. "Analyzing autonomous delivery acceptance in food deserts based on shopping travel patterns," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2774-:d:1056750. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.