Work

Towards sustainable last-mile logistics? Investigating the role of cooperation, regulation, and innovation in scenarios for 2035

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Last-mile logistics is of crucial importance to city life, but negative externalities require a transition to more sustainable modes of operation. Enhancing the capacity for informed decision-making is key in this multi-actor context with interdependent stakeholder views shaped by long-term contextual dynamics. This paper presents six scenarios representing potential futures of last-mile logistics based on the views of 26 logistics stakeholders with various roles in last-mile logistics using a Disaggregative Policy Delphi approach. They offer insight into the interdependencies between stakeholders and key enablers and barriers in the transition. Results suggest that actions of local authorities strongly influence the level and direction of technological innovation and cooperation. This stresses the importance for local authorities to build the capacity required to play a meaningful role in the transition, for example, by facilitating ongoing dialogue that may help actors to navigate their different preferences and negative impacts on quality of urban public space, and to identify joint courses of action towards more sustainable last-mile logistics.

Source: Research in Transportation Business & Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.rtbm.2024.101198

Authors: Paul Plazier, Ward Rauws, Robin Neef, Paul Buijs

Institution: University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Urban and Freight Transport Logistics

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,240