It is evident that with the rise of e-commerce, the number of parcels being delivered worldwide is increasing rapidly. In 2022 alone, 161 billion parcels were shipped globally, a number that doubled in just four years. In Australia, online shopping has become a common practice, with 5.6 million households making monthly online purchases in 2023. This surge in e-commerce activity has led to a significant increase in parcel deliveries, primarily facilitated by high-emitting diesel vans or trucks. However, the reliance on such vehicles for last-mile deliveries has resulted in various environmental issues, including traffic congestion, parking problems, carbon emissions, and air pollution.
One potential solution to reduce the environmental impact of parcel deliveries is the adoption of low-emission vehicles, such as electric delivery vans powered by renewable energy sources. While these vehicles can help mitigate pollution and carbon emissions, they are still relatively uncommon. In 2023, the global sales share of electric delivery vans and trucks was less than 5%, indicating a slow transition towards cleaner transportation options. Additionally, increasing the number of vehicle chargers powered by renewable energy will require time and investment.
To complement the shift towards cleaner vehicles, shorter-term solutions, such as optimizing delivery organization and implementing innovative ideas, can be explored. One such concept is crowdshipping, which leverages crowdsourcing to revolutionize parcel delivery services. Crowdshipping involves members of the public volunteering to deliver parcels during their regular journeys. By matching individuals with parcels headed towards destinations along their routes, crowdshipping minimizes detours and utilizes existing transport capacity efficiently.
A simulation conducted in Singapore demonstrated the potential benefits of crowdshipping. By outsourcing just 11% of parcel deliveries to crowdshippers using public buses, an e-commerce carrier could reduce the number of delivery vehicles needed, leading to a 20% decrease in delivery vehicle distances and emissions. Despite compensating crowdshippers, carriers could enjoy cost savings. However, there are practical considerations that need to be addressed. Passenger willingness to deliver parcels, potential congestion during peak hours, and the need for a reliable service platform are among the key factors that must be taken into account.
The future of sustainable urban deliveries lies in innovative solutions like crowdshipping that integrate passenger and freight transport to enhance city logistics operations. By leveraging existing transport networks and developing reliable service platforms, cities can make significant strides towards reducing environmental impact and improving urban mobility. Through data-driven modeling and simulations, urban areas can explore and implement new ideas to create more efficient and sustainable delivery systems. It is crucial for stakeholders in the logistics industry to embrace these advancements and work towards a greener and more sustainable future for urban deliveries.
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