Introducing the Shared Micro-Depot Network for Last-Mile Logistics

Leonardo N. Rosenberg, Noemie Balouka, Yale T. Herer, Eglantina Dani, Paco Gasparin, Kerstin Dobers, David Rüdiger, Pete Pättiniemi, Peter Portheine and Sonja van Uden
Additional contact information
Leonardo N. Rosenberg: Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
Noemie Balouka: Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
Yale T. Herer: Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 3200003 Haifa, Israel
Eglantina Dani: CIMNE—International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Edifici C1 Campus Nord UPC C/Gran Capità, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Paco Gasparin: CIMNE—International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Edifici C1 Campus Nord UPC C/Gran Capità, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Kerstin Dobers: Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
David Rüdiger: Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
Pete Pättiniemi: Forum Virum Helsinki, FI00130 Helsinki, Finland
Peter Portheine: Brainport Smart District, 5708 JZ Helmond, The Netherlands
Sonja van Uden: Brainport Smart District, 5708 JZ Helmond, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: Last-mile logistics is both a source and cause of problems in urban areas, especially problems related to traffic congestion, unsustainable delivery modes, and limited parking availability. In this context, multiple sustainable logistics solutions have been proposed. We focus on micro-depots (MDs), which can function as a consolidation center and a collection-and-delivery point for business-to-consumer (B2C) small parcels. This paper presents a new research idea that extends the existing MD solution by introducing the concept of a shared MD network with parcel lockers. Such networks enable multiple logistics service providers (LSPs) and/or business partners to use an MD while minimizing their individual costs and optimizing the use of urban space. We present case studies of such shared MD networks operating in the cities of Helsinki and Helmond. We provide a framework for auxiliary businesses that can exploit the existing MD structure to offer services to the surrounding population. Finally, we define metrics for evaluating the success of shared MD networks while considering social, environmental and economic objectives. The case studies highlight the complexity of implementing such a solution; it requires stakeholders’ involvement and collaboration. In particular, deciding on the location for a shared MD network is a critical phase, since local authorities have their own regulations, and residents’ preferences are usually different than LSPs’ ones. Nevertheless, if these challenges are overcome, this sustainable last-mile logistics solution has a promising future.

Keywords: last-mile logistics; sustainable last-mile delivery; urban logistics; micro-depot; city logistics; smart city; parcel lockers; collection-and-delivery points; shared facilities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/4/2067/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/4/2067/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2067-:d:499566

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().