Sustainable Last-Mile Logistics in Economics Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

In recent years, many cities throughout the world are facing the impact of last-mile logistics and the resulting rise in urban traffic and pollution. Effects on the environment have been curbed by these dynamics. Urban traffic has a considerable impact in terms of noise emissions, road safety and air pollution: hence, both public and private parties should undertake innovative solutions for reducing the negative effects of last-mile logistics and improving their operational effectiveness. This study aims to provide a systematic literature review of studies having as their main topic environmentally sustainable last-mile logistics with the perspective of economic studies. The review of the literature reveals that the majority of recent studies have been based on engineering and urban planning approaches. Costs and benefits of last-mile logistics are approached with a public economics focus, gathering details from the different papers, starting with the business studies and then exploring the technology-oriented ones. This study aims to detect the different topics and policies discussed in the literature, and it suggests how to incorporate them in creating new measures and policies for last-mile logistics in the urban area, or for revamping current ones.