Food delivery services have more than tripled in size since 2017, accelerated mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic. This explosive growth has not only reshaped consumption habits but also had profound implications for urban mobility and last-mile logistics. A systematic literature review conducted between 2012 and 2022 offers the first comprehensive overview of how food delivery is influencing traffic congestion, safety, infrastructure planning, and mobility systems.
The review employed the PRISMA framework to evaluate 290 academic articles from Scopus and Web of Science. After applying strict inclusion criteria focused on the intersection between food delivery and mobility—not on customer experience, app design, or drone technology—only 20 papers were deemed directly relevant. This highlights a significant research gap: while food delivery is booming, its broader impact on transportation systems remains understudied.
Key findings from the selected studies reveal that delivery couriers—often young, male, and operating as independent contractors—frequently use two-wheeled vehicles for speed and flexibility. However, they face poor working conditions, algorithmic control, and constant time pressure. This leads to unsafe behavior such as speeding, distracted driving, and traffic violations. As a result, road safety remains a recurring issue, and the increase in delivery vehicles—especially motorized ones—further exacerbates congestion and emissions.
Yet, most urban mobility plans and regulations have not kept pace with these developments. The review reveals a mismatch between logistics and transport planning, particularly when cities fail to consider the delivery workforce in their decision-making processes. For example, few cities offer infrastructure tailored to food delivery, such as safe parking zones, protected cycling lanes, or rest stops for couriers. Moreover, there is a lack of collaboration among city authorities, platforms, and workers in developing effective, fair, and safe urban mobility systems.
The study suggests that addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach. Companies should reduce time pressure on couriers to improve safety. Governments must invest in cyclist-friendly infrastructure and regulations that reflect the realities of platform-based gig work. The electrification of delivery fleets, wider adoption of cargo bikes, and smarter traffic rules could also help reduce the sector’s environmental impact.
In conclusion, food delivery has become a defining force in urban mobility. Yet, policies, infrastructure, and academic research lag. To move forward, cities must integrate delivery logistics into their urban planning frameworks, regulate platforms effectively, and support safer and more sustainable delivery practices—before the mobility system becomes overwhelmed.