The rise in e-commerce has led to a significant increase in parcel deliveries, with 161 billion parcels being shipped worldwide in 2022. This surge in online shopping has resulted in more households in Australia and around the globe relying on doorstop deliveries for their purchases. However, the use of high-emitting diesel vans and trucks for last-mile deliveries has raised concerns about traffic congestion, parking issues, carbon emissions, and air pollution in cities.
One possible solution to reduce the environmental impact of deliveries is through the use of low-emission vehicles, such as electric delivery vans powered by renewable energy sources. While the global sales share of electric vehicles in the delivery sector was under 5% in 2023, there is potential for growth in this area. Increasing the availability of vehicle chargers powered by renewable energy can also facilitate the transition to cleaner vehicles.
In addition to transitioning to cleaner vehicles, optimizing the organization of deliveries and exploring innovative ideas can further minimize the environmental impact of parcel deliveries. Crowdshipping, a concept that integrates crowdsourcing with delivery services, presents a unique approach to leveraging existing transport capacity in cities. By matching members of the public with parcels bound for destinations close to their routes, crowdshipping can streamline the movement of goods while reducing the need for dedicated courier services.
A simulation of crowdshipping in Singapore demonstrated the potential benefits of this approach. By outsourcing 11% of parcel deliveries to crowdshippers utilizing public buses, an e-commerce carrier could reduce delivery vehicle distances by 20% and lower emissions. Furthermore, crowdshippers can earn income while traveling, creating a win-win situation for both passengers and carriers.
Practical Considerations and Future Implementations
To ensure the success of crowdshipping, several practical considerations need to be addressed. Passenger willingness to deliver parcels, potential congestion during peak hours, and the need for a reliable service platform are key factors in implementing crowdshipping using public transport. By leveraging excess capacity during off-peak hours and ensuring accountability and trust among users, cities can explore new solutions to make urban deliveries more sustainable.
As cities continue to grapple with the challenges of urban logistics, innovative solutions like crowdshipping offer a promising avenue for reducing the environmental impact of parcel deliveries. By integrating passenger and freight transport systems, cities can enhance the efficiency of urban mobility and move towards a more sustainable future. Through data-driven modeling and simulation, the potential of crowdshipping and other innovative delivery solutions can be explored, paving the way for a greener, more efficient urban logistics network.
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