Scope of Using Autonomous Trucks and Lorries for Parcel Deliveries in Urban Settings

Courier, express, and parcel (CEP) services represent one of the most challenging and dynamic sectors of the logistics industry. Companies of this sector must solve several challenges to keep up with the rapid changes in the market. In this context, the introduction of autonomous delivery using self-driving trucks might be an appropriate solution to overcome the problems that the industry is facing today. This paper investigates if the introduction of autonomous trucks would be feasible for deliveries in urban areas from the experts’ point of view. Furthermore, the potential advantages of such autonomous vehicles were highlighted and compared to traditional delivery methods. At the same time, barriers that could slow down or hinder such an implementation were also discovered by conducting semi-structured interviews with experts from the field. The results show that CEP companies are interested in innovative logistics solutions such as autonomous vans, especially when it comes to business-to-consumer (B2C) activities. Most of the experts acknowledge the benefits that self-driving vans could bring once on the market. Despite that, there are still some difficulties that need to be solved before actual implementation. If this type of vehicle will become the sector’s disruptor is yet to be seen

Approaching delivery as a service

This paper explores the new logistics business model of Delivery as a Service, a concept aiming at a more efficient, fast and customer-oriented practice, linking IT solution development, urban logistics operations, supply chain efficiency and new business models. Delivery as a Service (DaaS) is defined as a service-oriented delivery and business processes in line with customer expectations and needs in the on-demand economy. The approach of this paper is an industry report based on evidence collected in multiple exploratory European projects integrating ambitious and strategic findings on Internet of Things, urban planning, consolidation centres, transport optimisation, and clean vehicle use. It contributes to a future scenario of urban logistics business models

Cost and Performance Optimisation in the Technological Phase of Parcel Delivery – A Literature Review

The present review paper provides a systematic insight into the studies published so far when it comes to the research on the cost and performance optimisation in the parcel delivery phase. Globalisation, as well as the new trends, such as selling online, directly influences the demands for the delivery of goods. Demand for the delivery of goods proportionally affects the transport prices. A great majority of deliveries is carried out in densely populated urban areas. In terms of costs, the greatest part in the courier organisations costs is observed in the technological phase of parcel delivery, which is at the same time the least efficient. For that reason, significant improvement of performance and cost optimisation in the very delivery phase is a rather challenging field for the researchers. New algorithm-based technologies, innovations in the logistics and outsourcing of individual technological phases are ways by means of which one strives to enhance the delivery efficiency, to improve performance and quality, but also - to optimise the costs in the last phase of delivery. The aim of the present paper is to offer a systematic review into the most recent research in the field of technology, innovations and outsourcing models with the aim of reducing the cost and enhancing the productivity and quality in parcel delivery

Drones for parcel and passenger transportation: A literature review

Delivery drones and ‘air taxis’ are currently among the most intensely discussed emerging technologies, likely to expand mobility into the ‘third dimension’ of low-level airspace. This paper presents a systematic literature review of 111 interdisciplinary publications (2013 - 03/2019). The review systematizes the current socio-technical debate on civil drones for transportation purposes allowing for a (critical) interim assessment. To guide the review process four dimensions of analysis were defined. A total of 2581 relevant quotations were subdivided into anticipated barriers (426), potential problems (1037), proposed solutions (737) and expected benefits (381). We found that the debate is characterized by predominantly technical and regulatory problems and barriers which are considered to prevent or impede the use of drones for parcel and passengers transportation. At the same time, definite economic expectations are juxtaposed with quite complex and differentiated concerns regarding societal and environmental impacts. Scrutinizing the most prevalent transportation-related promises of traffic reduction, travel time saving and environmental relief we found that there is a strong need to provide scientific evidence for the promises linked to the use of drones for transportation. We conclude that the debate on drones for transportation needs further qualification, emphasizing societal benefits and public involvement more strongly.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel - 201

Chapter 3 - Mobility on demand (MOD) and mobility as a service (MaaS): early understanding of shared mobility impacts and public transit partnerships

Technology is changing the way we move and reshaping cities and society. Shared and on-demand mobility represent notable transportation shifts in the 21st century. In recent years, mobility on demand (MOD)—where consumers access mobility, goods, and services on-demand by dispatching shared modes, courier services, public transport, and other innovative strategies—has grown rapidly due to technological advancements; changing consumer preferences; and a range of economic, environmental, and social factors. New attitudes toward sharing, MOD, and mobility as a service (MaaS) are changing traveler behavior and creating new opportunities and challenges for public transportation. This chapter discusses similarities and differences between the evolving concepts of MaaS and MOD. Next, it characterizes the range of existing public transit and MOD service models and enabling partnerships. The chapter also explores emerging trends impacting public transportation. While vehicle automation could result in greater public transit competition in the future, it could also foster new opportunities for transit enhancements (e.g., microtransit services, first- and last-mile connections, reduced operating costs). The chapter concludes with a discussion of how MOD/MaaS partnerships and automation could enable the public transit industry to reinvent itself, making it more attractive and competitive with private vehicle ownership and use

Mobility on Demand in the United States

The growth of shared mobility services and enabling technologies, such as smartphone apps, is contributing to the commodification and aggregation of transportation services. This chapter reviews terms and definitions related to Mobility on Demand (MOD) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), the mobility marketplace, stakeholders, and enablers. This chapter also reviews the U.S. Department of Transportation’s MOD Sandbox Program, including common opportunities and challenges, partnerships, and case studies for employing on-demand mobility pilots and programs. The chapter concludes with a discussion of vehicle automation and on-demand mobility including pilot projects and the potential transformative impacts of shared automated vehicles on parking, land use, and the built environment

Autonomous ground vehicles in urban last-mile delivery : an exploration of the implementation feasibility and consumer’s acceptance

E-Commerce has rapidly changed the urban last-mile delivery in recent years, and Courier-, Express- and Parcel (CEP) companies are challenged by the increasing demand. Service robotics with autonomous vehicles are subject to be the catalyst for transforming the industry. Considering the infancy and lack of research on the subject, the purpose of this study is to explore the concept of autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) in urban last-mile delivery from two perspectives. First, data about the industry and insights from the technology provider summarize the status quo of recent developments and implementation barriers with the help of expert interviews. The findings show obstacles in the technological maturity and regulatory framework. Moreover, although only road-AGVs (rAGVs) will significantly change the industry, sidewalk-AGVs (sAGVs) act as a proof of concept as the implementation is more feasible. In addition, they create new premium services for the consumers. Second, an attempt to determine the consumer’s acceptance of sAGVs, using the combination of the technology acceptance model and the technology readiness index, is made with an online survey. The proposed research model is analysed by means of simple regression analysis, and all hypotheses are supported. The majority of the respondents have a positive attitude towards the concept of sAGVs for delivery and consider using it when the safety of their delivery goods is guaranteed. This dissertation enriches the literature on human-robot acceptance as well as the management of CEP-companies to increase the engagement in the implementation of sidewalk-AGVs to increase service innovation for consumers.O comércio electrónico mudou rapidamente a entrega urbana de bens ao consumidor, e as empresas de Correio Expresso Urgente são desafiadas pela procura crescente. Os serviços robóticos com veículos autónomos serão provavelmente o catalisador da transformação desta indústria. Considerando a falta e o estágio inicial de investigação, este estudo explora o conceito de veículos autónomos terrestres (AGVs) na entrega urbana de bens ao consumidor considerando duas perspetivas. Uma primeira será a de recolher dados sobre a indústria e insights de fornecedores da tecnologia, sumarizando os mais recentes desenvolvimentos e as barreiras à implementação, com a ajuda de entrevistas a especialistas. Os resultados revelam obstáculos na maturidade tecnológica e enquadramento regulamentar. Adicionalmente, embora apenas os AGVs rodoviários (rAGVs) virão a alterar significativamente a indústria, os AGVs de passeio (sAGVs) atuam como prova de conceito, dada a sua implementação viável. Em segundo lugar, a aceitação de sAGVs por parte do consumidor é determinada através da combinação de modelos de aceitação tecnológica e do índex de prontidão de tecnologia, via questionário online. O modelo de investigação proposto é testado por meio de análise de regressão simples, e todas as hipóteses são suportadas. A maioria dos participantes tem uma atitude positiva em relação aos sAGVs para entrega, e considera usá-los se a segurança dos seus bens for garantida. Esta dissertação enriquece a literatura sobre aceitação humana-robot, bem como a gestão de empresas de Correio Expresso Urgente, aumentando o envolvimento na implementação de sAGVs e fomentando a inovação em serviços para o consumidor