A review of collaborative strategies in last-mile logistics from an urban sustainability perspective

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 1171 - 1184, 15.07.2025

Fatmanur Özer , Neslihan Demirel

https://doi.org/10.28948/ngumuh.1680127

Abstract

In recent years, globalization, technological developments, and the growth of e-commerce transactions have increased the demand for logistics activities. Increasing demands affect logistics activities at all stages of supply chains, particularly the final stage, where delivery to customers occurs in urban areas. This stage, known as last-mile logistics, is not only the most expensive and inefficient part of supply chains, but also causes many problems, including increased freight mobility in urban areas, traffic congestion, parking issues, air and noise pollution, and carbon emissions. Reducing these economic and environmental costs is important for sustainable urban development. The sustainability of a city depends on its economic self-sufficiency, the living standards of its population under equal and fair conditions, and sensitive practices in environmental and waste management. Today, in addition to the traditional last-mile logistics practices of delivering the package to the customer's home/office, there are many new practices (delivery via parcel locker, drone delivery, robot delivery, micro-depot usage, urban consolidation center usage, pick-up/drop-off point, click-and-collect, crowd-sourcing, etc.) to overcome the mentioned drawbacks and manage the process more effectively and efficiently. Collaborative applications for these novel delivery methods are increasing day by day in order to minimize the costs of logistics service providers, facilitate customers' access to service, and thus improve customer satisfaction. In this study, we investigate different novel last-mile logistics methods in the literature and in practice that have been implemented with collaborative strategies. Among the 43 studies reviewed, urban consolidation centers, parcel lockers, and PUDO points emerged as the most frequently considered collaborative models. The advantages of the collaboration strategies and the barriers to their development are presented, and researchers, practitioners, and city managers are guided in developing new policies and strategies.

Keywords

Last-mile logistics , Crowd-sourcing , Collaboration , Review

Kentsel sürdürülebilirlik perspektifinden son adım lojistikte iş birlikçi stratejilere yönelik bir inceleme

Abstract

Son yıllarda küreselleşme, teknolojik gelişmeler ve e-ticaret işlemlerinin büyümesi lojistik faaliyetlerine olan talebi artırmıştır. Artan talepler tedarik zincirlerinin tüm aşamalarındaki lojistik faaliyetlerini, özellikle de müşteriye teslimatın kentsel alanlarda gerçekleştiği son aşamayı etkilemektedir. Son adım lojistiği olarak bilinen bu aşama, tedarik zincirlerinin yalnızca en pahalı ve verimsiz kısmı olmakla kalmayıp, aynı zamanda kentsel alanlarda artan yük hareketliliği, trafik sıkışıklığı, park yeri sorunları, hava ve gürültü kirliliği ve karbon emisyonları gibi birçok probleme de neden olmaktadır. Bu ekonomik ve çevresel maliyetleri azaltmak sürdürülebilir kentsel kalkınma için önemlidir. Bir kentin sürdürülebilirliği, ekonomik olarak kendi kendine yeterliliğine, nüfusunun eşit ve adil koşullar altında yaşam standartlarına ve çevre ve atık yönetimindeki duyarlı uygulamalara bağlıdır. Günümüzde, paketi müşterinin evine/ofisine teslim etme şeklindeki geleneksel son adım lojistik uygulamalarına ek olarak, bahsedilen dezavantajları aşmak ve süreci daha etkili ve verimli bir şekilde yönetmek için birçok yeni uygulama (kargo dolabı ile teslimat, drone teslimatı, robot teslimatı, mikro depo kullanımı, kentsel konsolidasyon merkezi kullanımı, alma/bırakma noktası, tıkla ve topla, kitle kaynak kullanımı vb.) bulunmaktadır. Lojistik hizmet sağlayıcılarının maliyetlerini en aza indirmek, müşterilerin hizmete erişimini kolaylaştırmak ve böylece müşteri memnuniyetini artırmak amacıyla bu yeni teslimat yöntemlerine yönelik işbirlikçi uygulamalar her geçen gün artmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, literatürde ve uygulamada işbirlikçi stratejilerle uygulanan farklı yeni son adım lojistik yöntemleri araştırılmaktadır. İncelenen 43 çalışma arasında kentsel konsolidasyon merkezleri, kargo dolapları ve PUDO noktaları en sık ele alınan iş birliği modelleri olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. İş birliği stratejilerinin avantajları ve geliştirilmelerinin önündeki engeller sunulmakta ve araştırmacılara, uygulayıcılara ve şehir yöneticilerine yeni politikalar ve stratejiler geliştirmede rehberlik edilmektedir.

Keywords

Son adım lojistik , Kitle kaynak kullanımı , İşbirliği , İnceleme

References

• V. Silva, A. Amaral, and T. Fontes, “Sustainable Urban Last-Mile Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review,” Sustainability, 15 (3), 2285, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032285.
•    S. M. Patella, G. Grazieschi, V. Gatta, E. Marcucci, and S. Carrese, “The Adoption of Green Vehicles in Last Mile Logistics: A Systematic Review,” Sustainability, 13 (1), 6, 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/su13010006.
•    J. Olsson, D. Hellström, and H. Pålsson, “Framework of Last Mile Logistics Research: A Systematic Review of the Literature,” Sustainability, 11 (24), 7131, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247131.
•    L. Ranieri, S. Digiesi, B. Silvestri, and M. Roccotelli, “A Review of Last Mile Logistics Innovations in an Externalities Cost Reduction Vision,” Sustainability, 10 (3), 782, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030782.
•    E. Aktas, M. Bourlakis, and D. Zissis, “Collaboration in the last mile: evidence from grocery deliveries,” International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 24 (3), 227–241, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2020.1740660.
•    S. Sina Mohri, H. Ghaderi, N. Nassir, and R. G. Thompson, “Crowdshipping for sustainable urban logistics: A systematic review of the literature,” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 178, 103289, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j
•    E. B. Kızılırmak, S. Öztaş, N. Çağlayan, and M. Tutam, “Design and Performance Measures of AVS/R Systems: A Bibliometric Literature Review,” Arch Computat Methods Eng, 31 (6), 3455–3472, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11831-024-10084-9.
•    L. Saglietto, “Bibliometric analysis of sharing economy logistics and crowd logistics,” IJCS, 5 (1), 31–54, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCS-07-2020-0014.
•    E. Demir, A. Syntetos, and T. Van Woensel, “Last mile logistics: Research trends and needs,” IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, 33 (4), 549–561, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/imaman/dpac006.
• E. G. Nathanail, N. Gavanas, and G. Adamos, Eds., Smart Energy for Smart Transport: Proceedings of the 6th Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility, CSUM2022, August 31-September 2, 2022, Skiathos Island, Greece, 1st ed. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023,
• M. A. Gogas and E. Nathanail, “Evaluation of Urban Consolidation Centers: A Methodological Framework,” Procedia Engineering, 178, 461–471, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.089.
• J. Allen, M. Browne, A. Woodburn, and J. Leonardi, “The Role of Urban Consolidation Centres in Sustainable Freight Transport,” Transport Reviews, 32 (4), 473–490, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2012.688074.
• J. Allen, M. Browne, A. Woodburn, and J. Leonardi, “A Review of Urban Consolidation Centres in the Supply Chain Based on a Case Study Approach,” Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 15 (4), 100–112, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2014.11517361.
• M. Roca-Riu and M. Estrada, “An Evaluation of Urban Consolidation Centers Through Logistics Systems Analysis in Circumstances Where Companies have Equal Market Shares,” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 39, 796–806, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsp
• G. Battaia, L. Faure, G. Marqués, R. Guillaume, and J. R. Montoya-Torres, “A Methodology to Anticipate the Activity Level of Collaborative Networks: The Case of Urban Consolidation,” Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 15 (4), 70–82, 2014, https://doi
• M. Roca-Riu, M. Estrada, and E. Fernández, “An Evaluation of Urban Consolidation Centers Through Continuous Analysis with Non-equal Market Share Companies,” Transportation Research Procedia, 12, 370–382, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.02.073.
• S. D. Handoko and H. C. Lau, “Enabling Carrier Collaboration via Order Sharing Double Auction: A Singapore Urban Logistics Perspective,” Transportation Research Procedia, 12, 777–786, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.02.031.
• D. Paddeu, “The Bristol-Bath Urban freight Consolidation Centre from the perspective of its users,” Case Studies on Transport Policy, 5 (3), 483–491, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2017.06.001.
• J. Gonzalez-Feliu, C. Pronello, and J. M. S. Grau, “Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Urban Transport: State-of-the-Art and Research Opportunities,” Transport, 33 (4), 1079–1094, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3846/transport.2018.6810.
• B. Hezarkhani, M. Slikker, and T. Van Woensel, “Gain-sharing in urban consolidation centers,” European Journal of Operational Research, 279 (2), 380–392, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2019.05.028.
• S. Nataraj, D. Ferone, C. Quintero-Araujo, A. A. Juan, and P. Festa, “Consolidation centers in city logistics: A cooperative approach based on the location routing problem,” Int. J. Ind. Eng. Comput., 393–404, 2019, https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijiec.2019.1.001.
• V. Gatta, E. Marcucci, P. Delle Site, M. Le Pira, and C. S. Carrocci, “Planning with stakeholders: Analysing alternative off-hour delivery solutions via an interactive multi-criteria approach,” Research in Transportation Economics, 73, 53–62, 2019, https://doi.
• M. Kaspi, T. Raviv, and M. W. Ulmer, “Directions for future research on urban mobility and city logistics,” Networks, 79 (3), 253–263, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1002/net.22092.
• L. N. Rosenberg et al., “Introducing the Shared Micro-Depot Network for Last-Mile Logistics,” Sustainability, 13 (4), 2067, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042067.
• K. Stodick and C. Deckert, “Sustainable Parcel Delivery in Urban Areas with Micro Depots,” in Logistikmanagement für eine nachhaltige Wirtschaft, Springer Gabler, 2021, 417–428, https://doi.org/10.20378/irb-58596.
• N. Urquhart, S. Höhl, and E. Hart, “An illumination algorithm approach to solving the micro-depot routing problem,” Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference, Prague, Czech Republic: ACM, 2019, 1347–1355. https://doi.org/10.1145/3321707
• L. Hörsting and C. Cleophas, “Integrating micro-depot freight transport in existing public transport services,” Operations Research Forum, 4 (3), 54, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43069-023-00232-5.
• M. A. Maldonado Bonilla, M. Bouzon, and C. C. Peña-Montoya, “Taxonomy of key practices for a sustainable last-mile logistics network in e-retail: A comprehensive literature review,” Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain, 11, 100149, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j
• M. Novotná, L. Švadlenka, S. Jovčić, and V. Simić, “Micro-hub location selection for sustainable last-mile delivery,” PLoS ONE, 17 (7), e0270926, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270926.
• C. Ackva and M. W. Ulmer, “Consistent routing for local same-day delivery via micro-hubs,” OR Spectrum, 46 (2), 375–409, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-023-00735-x.
• M. Hribernik, K. Zero, S. Kummer, and D. M. Herold, “City logistics: Towards a blockchain decision framework for collaborative parcel deliveries in micro-hubs,” Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 8, 100274, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.t
• S. Ballare and J. Lin, “Investigating the use of microhubs and crowd shipping for last mile delivery,” Transportation Research Procedia, 46, 277–284, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2020.03.191.
• C. Ackva and M. W. Ulmer, “Consistent routing for local same-day delivery via micro-hubs,” OR Spectrum, 46 (2), 375–409, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-023-00735-x.
• P. Carotenuto, M. Gastaldi, S. Giordani, R. Rossi, A. Rabachin, and A. Salvatore, “Comparison of various urban distribution systems supporting e-commerce: Point-to-point vs collection-point-based deliveries,” Transportation Research Procedia, 30, 188–196, 2018,
• I. Cardenas, Y. Borbon-Galvez, T. Verlinden, E. Van De Voorde, T. Vanelslander, and W. Dewulf, “City logistics, urban goods distribution and last mile delivery and collection,” Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, 18 (1–2), 22–43, 2017, https://doi
• S. Pan, C. Chen, and R. Y. Zhong, “A crowdsourcing solution to collect e-commerce reverse flows in metropolitan areas,” IFAC-PapersOnLine, 48 (3), 1984–1989, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2015.06.379.
• A. De Meyer, R. Guisson, G. Verbelen, and F. Van Hulle, “The impact of different cooperation strategies on the efficiency of rural parcel deliveries,” Transportation Research Procedia, 72, 2331–2338, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2023.11.724.
• A. Kedia, D. Kusumastuti, and A. Nicholson, “Locating collection and delivery points for goods’ last-mile travel: A case study in New Zealand,” Transportation Research Procedia, 46, 85–92, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2020.03.167.
• L. Song, T. Cherrett, F. McLeod, and W. Guan, “Addressing the last mile problem: Transport impacts of collection and delivery points,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2097 (1), 9–18, 2009, https://doi.org/10.3141/20
• A. T. Collins, “Behavioral influences on the environmental impact of collection/delivery points,” in Green Logistics and Transportation, B. Fahimnia, M. G. H. Bell, D. A. Hensher, and J. Sarkis, Eds., Greening of Industry Networks Studies, vol. 4. Cham: Springe
• Y. Wang, J. Zhang, K. Assogba, Y. Liu, M. Xu, and Y. Wang, “Collaboration and transportation resource sharing in multiple centers vehicle routing optimization with delivery and pickup,” Knowledge-Based Systems, 160, 296–310, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knos
• H. Akeb, B. Moncef, and B. Durand, “Building a collaborative solution in dense urban city settings to enhance parcel delivery: An effective crowd model in Paris,” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 119, 223–233, 2018, https://d
• S. Mancini and M. Gansterer, “Vehicle routing with private and shared delivery locations,” Computers & Operations Research, 133, 105361, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2021.105361.
• L. Li, M. Huang, X. Yue, and X. Wang, “The strategic analysis of collection delivery points network sharing in last-mile logistics market,” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 183, 103423, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.202
• E. Morganti, L. Dablanc, and F. Fortin, “Final deliveries for online shopping: The deployment of pickup point networks in urban and suburban areas,” Research in Transportation Business & Management, 11, 23–31, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2014.03.002.
• L. Guarino Neto and J. G. V. Vieira, “An investigation of consumer intention to use pick-up point services for last-mile distribution in a developing country,” Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 74, 103425, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.20
• L. Ranieri, S. Digiesi, B. Silvestri, and M. Roccotelli, “A review of last mile logistics innovations in an externalities cost reduction vision,” Sustainability, 10 (3), 782, 2018, https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030782.
• W. Zhu, J. Lu, Y. Li, and Y. Yang, “A pick-up points recommendation system for ridesourcing service,” Sustainability, 11 (4), 1097, 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041097.
• S. Justiani and B. S. Wibowo, “The economic and environmental benefits of collaborative pick-up in urban delivery systems,” LOGI – Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, 13 (1), 245–256, 2022, https://doi.org/10.2478/logi-2022-0022.
• J. Zhang, B. Li, X. Ye, and Y. Chen, “Pick-up point recommendation strategy based on user incentive mechanism,” PeerJ Computer Science, 9, e1692, 2023, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj-cs.1692.
• D. Silva and C. Csiszár, “Locating method for pick-up and drop-off spots for shared autonomous vehicle-based mobility services,” Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 68 (1), 197–206, 2024, https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.22541.
• M. Maričić, R. Kucharski, and O. Cats, “The effects of pricing and service configurations on a ride-pooling service with pick-up and drop-off points,” unpublished, 2021.
• L. Zhu, Z. Zhao, and G. Wu, “Shared automated mobility with demand-side cooperation: A proof-of-concept micro simulation study,” Sustainability, 13 (5), p. 2483, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052483.
• A. Fielbaum, X. Bai, and J. Alonso-Mora, “On-demand ridesharing with optimized pick-up and drop-off walking locations,” Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 126, 103061, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2021.103061.
• R. K. Gunawan and Susilawati, “A study of spatiotemporal distribution of mobility-on-demand in generating pick-up/drop-off location placement,” Smart Cities, 4 (2), 746–766, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities4020038.
• G. Li, H. Zhao, and L. Li, “The study of passengers’ preference heterogeneity on ride-sharing considering pick-up/drop-off points,” SSRN Journal, 2022, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4115435.
• G. D’Orso, L. Minaudo, and M. Migliore, “Comparing macro scale and micro scale walkability indicators to establish pick-up/drop-off locations for a micro transit service in a suburban area,” Infrastructures, 8 (12), 165, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastruc
• M. Stumpe, P. Dieter, G. Schryen, O. Müller, and D. Beverungen, “Designing taxi ridesharing systems with shared pick-up and drop-off locations: Insights from a computational study,” Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 183, 104063, 2024, https:/
• S. Iwan, K. Kijewska, and J. Lemke, “Analysis of parcel lockers’ efficiency as the last mile delivery solution – The results of the research in Poland,” Transportation Research Procedia, 12, 644–655, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2016.02.018.
• Y. Deutsch and B. Golany, “A parcel locker network as a solution to the logistics last mile problem,” International Journal of Production Research, 56 (1–2), 251–261, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1395490.
• E. Mohamed and M. Ndiaye, “Optimal routing and scheduling in e-commerce logistics using crowdsourcing strategies,” in 2018 7th International Conference on Industrial Technology and Management (ICITM), Oxford, United Kingdom: IEEE, 2018, 248–253, https://doi.org
• K. Mousavi and S. Mousavichashmi, “Strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making in crowd-shipping,” unpublished, 2022.
• J. L. Falch and J. F. Øverås, “A study on potential collaboration in the parcel delivery industry in Bergen using mixed-integer linear programming,” unpublished, 2022.
• X.-Y. Zhuang, I.-L. Wang, and C.-Y. Lee, “An integrated optimization approach for crowd shipping leveraging smart lockers as decentralized urban transshipment hubs,” SSRN Journal, 2023, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4669250.
• S. Zhang, T. V. Le, and M. Roorda, “Optimizing parcel locker locations in a city crowd logistics network,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2677 (12), 267–283, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231167425.
• K.-W. Pang, J. Xu, R. Jiang, and R. Liu, “Parcel-locker-sharing model for e-commerce logistics service providers,” Mathematics, 12 (18), 2802, 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/math12182802.
• P. Ozyavas, P. Buijs, E. Ursavas, and R. Teunter, “Designing a sustainable delivery network with parcel locker systems as collection and transfer points,” Omega, 131, 103199, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2024.103199.
• A. Wyrowski, N. Boysen, D. Briskorn, and S. Schwerdfeger, “Public transport crowd shipping: Moving shipments among parcel lockers located at public transport stations,” OR Spectrum, 46 (3), 873–907, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-024-00748-0.
• M. Zhang and L. Cheah, “Prioritizing outlier parcels for public transport-based crowd shipping in urban logistics,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2678 (3), 601–612, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231182429.