Sustainable Last-Mile Delivery: Opportunities and Challenges

Sustainable urban logistics face significant challenges in achieving efficient supply chain management and delivery operations, primarily due to the expanding influence of e-commerce. Developing and implementing innovative strategies that enhance these processes while considering sustainability, operational efficacy, and customer satisfaction have become increasingly imperative. This study conducts an in-depth investigation of various approaches in urban logistics through a systematic literature review of relevant articles. The study also explores the integration of public transport with crowdsourced delivery services. The study evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of these strategies by reviewing and analysing existing models. The findings suggest that employing intelligent parcel lockers as transfer nodes and occasional crowdsourced couriers can significantly enhance delivery efficiency and customer convenience. Moreover, integrating crowdsourced delivery with public transport demonstrates the potential to reduce traffic congestion and emissions. The study also recognizes the role of effective consumer education in promoting sustainability. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of adopting a balanced approach considering economic, social, and environmental factors when designing urban logistics solutions. The study highlights the necessity of implementing innovative methods to improve supply chain management and delivery operations, emphasizing the potential benefits of intelligent parcel lockers, part-time couriers, and integrated public transportation. Policymakers can leverage these findings to formulate regulations and incentives that promote the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles and sustainable logistics solutions, thereby contributing to a broader urban sustainable development agenda.