The Use of Drones for Last-Mile Delivery: A Numerical Case Study in Milan, Italy

Fabio Borghetti, Claudia Caballini, Angela Carboni, Gaia Grossato, Roberto Maja and Benedetto Barabino
Additional contact information
Fabio Borghetti: Mobility and Transport Laboratory, Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Candiani 72, 20158 Milano, Italy
Claudia Caballini: Department DIATI-Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Angela Carboni: Department DIATI-Transport Systems, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Gaia Grossato: Mobility and Transport Laboratory, Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Candiani 72, 20158 Milano, Italy
Roberto Maja: Mobility and Transport Laboratory, Design Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via Candiani 72, 20158 Milano, Italy
Benedetto Barabino: Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture, Land, Environment and Mathematics (DICATAM), University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: The increasing use of e-commerce introduces major challenges for last-mile delivery, which is critical to ensure smooth functioning of supply chains. Besides the speed and cost of delivery, which are the most important factors for last-mile logistics, environmental and social sustainability factors are taking on an increasingly important role, especially in urban areas. In this perspective, last-mile delivery by drones could be a good choice both in terms of transport speed and sustainability. Being electrically powered, drones can reduce environmental impact; moreover, they enable the reduction of road congestion since they do not interfere with land infrastructures. The goal of this study is to analyse the viability of drones for last-mile delivery in the Italian city of Milan. A stated preference survey was carried out to assess end-user propensity towards drones. Using these results, a goods delivery service by drones was designed. Furthermore, a preliminary financial analysis was performed to evaluate the benefits for a company that would provide such a transport service. Findings show that last-mile delivery by drones can be successfully used to deliver small and light packages, reducing environmental and social impacts, and ensuring profits for the transport provider.

Keywords: drones; last-mile delivery; urban logistics; city logistics; parcel delivery; smart city; environmental sustainability; social sustainability; transportation planning; road congestion; safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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