Integrating Cargo Bikes and Drones into Last-Mile Deliveries: Insights from Pilot Deliveries in Five Greek Cities
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Published:2024-01-26
Issue:3
Volume:16
Page:1060
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ISSN:2071-1050
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Container-title:Sustainability
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Sustainability
Author:
Athanasopoulos Konstantinos1, Chatziioannou Ioannis1ORCID, Boutsi Argyro-Maria1ORCID, Tsingenopoulos Georgios1, Soile Sofia1ORCID, Chliverou Regina1, Petrakou Zoe2, Papanikolaou Efstathios3, Karolemeas Christos1ORCID, Kourmpa Efthymia1, Papadaki Kalliopi1, Tzika Eleftheria1, Ioannidis Charalabos1, Potsiou Chryssy1, Vlastos Thanos1
Affiliation:
1. School of Rural, Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 10682 Athens, Greece 2. Aethon Engineering, 25 Em. Benaki Str., 10678 Athens, Greece 3. Taxydema, 81 Xenodochoipallilon Str., 13677 Athens, Greece
Abstract
Currently, there is a growing consensus that the use of more sustainable urban freight transportation has the potential to offer major energy and efficiency benefits which can be achieved through the appropriate combination of cargo bikes and the integration of drones into the urban logistics system. This study presents the results of a stepwise regression analysis that examines the role, benefits, and impact of electric vehicles such as e-bikes, cargo bikes, and drones for intermodal freight transportation in five Greek cities to support the green logistics paradigm. The results show that between routes of almost equal length, the most bicycle-friendly routes, such as routes along pedestrian areas or residential streets, should be avoided, as they reduce delivery speed and increase delivery costs in terms of energy and time expenditure. In addition, priority roads, which usually have higher traffic speeds and more trucks, are preferred by cyclists due to the quality of the road surface, even though the feeling of safety is lower on such roads. Finally, regarding drones, energy consumption is relatively low in the 0–5 mph and 6–10 mph wind speed ranges, indicating efficient energy use. In the 11–15 mph and 16–20 mph wind speed ranges, energy efficiency is significantly lower than the battery capacity, indicating that the cargo drone exhibits excessive energy consumption under these conditions.
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction
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