Tag «parcels»

Innovative sustainable urban logistics: optimizing networks and operations for the future of last-mile delivery

Last-mile delivery is under increasing pressure. With booming e-commerce, growing urban congestion, and mounting sustainability targets, cities struggle to keep deliveries efficient, affordable, and clean. This thesis investigates how optimization models can help last-mile logistics adapt, balancing operational efficiency with environmental and regulatory demands. A recent Ph.D. Thesis by Pinar Ozyavas addresses the issues around optimizing …

DELPHI, FeDerated nEtwork of pLatforms for Passenger and freigHt Intermodality

The DELPHI project aims to tackle key challenges in last-mile delivery and urban logistics—such as high costs, environmental impacts, data fragmentation, and stakeholder misalignment—by integrating passenger and freight transport through a cross-modal, multilevel governance model. Central to the project is the development of a Federated Network of Freight and Passenger Platforms designed to improve data …

Decarbonising parcel deliveries in England: When the national strategy fails to meet local needs and expectations

A new research paper examines the views of 35 local authorities in England on potential solutions for decarbonizing last-mile parcel deliveries, focusing on the perceived challenges and drivers of implementation. Using co-design and participatory methods, the study engaged stakeholders with diverse expertise in a back-casting process to develop actionable strategies for reducing emissions. The proposed …

How to avoid service disruptions in last-mile and first-mile reverse logistics

The rapid growth of e-commerce in recent years has transformed how retailers and customers interact. This shift has significantly impacted freight distribution, as customers now expect their orders to be delivered directly to, or near, the point of consumption. Consequently, the volume of freight handled by logistics operators has surged, leading to an increase in …

DHL eCommerce and Poste Italiane launch Locker Italia

DHL eCommerce and Poste Italiane are celebrating the launch of Locker Italia, a joint venture dedicated to creating a modern and convenient parcel locker network across Italy. This milestone marks one year since the two companies formed their strategic partnership in the Italian and international parcel market. The official launch event occurred on September 16 …

Dutch Budbee stops home deliveries

Budbee, part of Instabee, is making a bold move in the Netherlands by redefining parcel delivery: “We’re no longer doing home deliveries,” says General Manager Jørgen Höppener. The company aims to make parcel delivery both genuinely sustainable and profitable. Budbee plans to deliver parcels exclusively to its approximately 1,000 parcel lockers nationwide. This shift is …

WAlking and PArking Dynamics of Drivers: analysis and model development for sustainable urban delivery

A new project addresses the critical but often overlooked aspects of delivery drivers’ walking and parking behaviors in urban logistics: WAlking and PArking Dynamics of Drivers (WAPADD). With 80% of a delivery driver’s time spent outside the vehicle during the last leg of delivery, comprehending these dynamics becomes pivotal for sustainable urban delivery routes. The …

Consumer demand for ‘Real-Time Retail’ shakes carrier market share

Pitney Bowes Inc., a global shipping and mailing company that provides technology, logistics, and financial services, released its annual U.S. Parcel Shipping Index. The index revealed significant shifts in the carrier competitive landscape and consumer behaviors in 2023. Of the four largest carriers (USPS, Amazon Logistics, UPS, and FedEx), only Amazon Logistics grew volumes year …

Chinese couriers must notify customers before dropping off parcels

New regulations require Chinese couriers to notify customers before dropping off parcels. China’s recent regulatory amendment, which mandates parcel delivery workers to inform customers of the exact delivery location, has evoked a mixed response across the sector. Effective March 1, 2024, the amendment requires delivery workers to refrain from leaving packages at community delivery areas …

Cargo bike study says € 0.10 cost per delivery. Can this be true?

A recent study found that an electric cargo bike, specifically a Bullitt cargo bike, is twice as efficient and over ten times cheaper than a van in urban areas. These are unprecedented results. Never has a study found this kind of result. According to the study, adding insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and energy costs, vans have …