ITF: the final frontier of urban logistics – tackling the last meters

The ITF project ‘The Final Frontier of Urban Logistics‘ examines various options for tackling the final step in the logistics chain for parcels. Last-mile deliveries are critical, but how can parcels efficiently and securely travel from the delivery vehicle, package locker, or local drop-off location to the recipient’s front door?

These very last meters are the final frontier for urban deliveries. E-commerce has increased the number of deliveries in already crowded cities. Accommodating the growing demand in sustainable and socially acceptable ways is a critical challenge for cities. Proposed solutions include porters, bicycle deliveries, and automated delivery pods.

The report discusses the challenges and potential solutions for last-metre parcel delivery in urban areas. It explores the limitations of automated drones and robots and alternative methods such as pick-up points and porters. The section also highlights the importance of managing street-space tensions and balancing public interests with innovation in urban logistics.

Due to operational limitations and access restrictions, automated delivery drones and robots may not be effective for last-metre operations in urban areas.
Emerging alternatives like pick-up points and porters are considered more suitable for improving operational efficiencies in urban parcel deliveries.
The use of small sidewalk robots is found to be the most promising among automated alternatives, but their use cases remain limited.
Due to their large dimensions and limited carrying capacities, delivery drones are unlikely to displace existing last-mile alternatives in dense urban areas significantly.
Increased city freight demand has led to environmental and economic costs, such as congestion and parking pressure.
Implementing lower-tech solutions like pick-up points could be more efficient and effective at mitigating negative externalities than automated solutions.
Policymakers should anticipate the risks and legal complexities associated with potential logistics interventions, especially in the context of urban automated deliveries.
Urban logistics policy must balance private stakeholders’ interests with public and societal needs to ensure innovation aligns with the greater good.