The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems
With rapid advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, its integration into logistics operations has emerged as a promising solution for improving efficiency and sustainability. Among the emerging solutions, a collaborative delivery model involving drones and trucks addresses last-mile...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/1/54 |
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| author | Danwen Bao Yu Yan Yuhan Li Jiajun Chu |
| author_facet | Danwen Bao Yu Yan Yuhan Li Jiajun Chu |
| author_sort | Danwen Bao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With rapid advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, its integration into logistics operations has emerged as a promising solution for improving efficiency and sustainability. Among the emerging solutions, a collaborative delivery model involving drones and trucks addresses last-mile delivery challenges by leveraging the complementary strengths of both modes of transport. However, evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of this transportation mode requires a systematic framework to capture its unique characteristics and minimize environmental impacts and costs. This paper investigates the Parallel Drone Scheduling Traveling Salesman Problem (PDSTSP) to evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of a collaborative drone-truck delivery system. Specifically, a mathematical model for this delivery system is developed to optimize joint delivery operations. Environmental impacts are assessed using a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including emissions and operational noise, while a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) quantifies economic performance across five cost dimensions. Sensitivity analysis explores factors such as delivery density, traffic congestion, and wind conditions. Results show that, compared to the electric vehicle fleet, the proposed model achieves an approximate 20% reduction in carbon emissions, while delivering a 20–30% cost reduction relative to the fuel truck fleet. Drones’ efficiency in short-distance deliveries alleviates trucks’ load, cutting environmental and operational costs. This study offers practical insights and recommendations for implementing drone-truck parallel delivery systems, particularly in high-demand density areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b8fdd78b9d94faa80771facb7ed9d99 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b8fdd78b9d94faa80771facb7ed9d992025-01-24T13:29:48ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-01-01915410.3390/drones9010054The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel SystemsDanwen Bao0Yu Yan1Yuhan Li2Jiajun Chu3College of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaCollege of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaSchool of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, ChinaCollege of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaWith rapid advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, its integration into logistics operations has emerged as a promising solution for improving efficiency and sustainability. Among the emerging solutions, a collaborative delivery model involving drones and trucks addresses last-mile delivery challenges by leveraging the complementary strengths of both modes of transport. However, evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of this transportation mode requires a systematic framework to capture its unique characteristics and minimize environmental impacts and costs. This paper investigates the Parallel Drone Scheduling Traveling Salesman Problem (PDSTSP) to evaluate the environmental and economic sustainability of a collaborative drone-truck delivery system. Specifically, a mathematical model for this delivery system is developed to optimize joint delivery operations. Environmental impacts are assessed using a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including emissions and operational noise, while a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) quantifies economic performance across five cost dimensions. Sensitivity analysis explores factors such as delivery density, traffic congestion, and wind conditions. Results show that, compared to the electric vehicle fleet, the proposed model achieves an approximate 20% reduction in carbon emissions, while delivering a 20–30% cost reduction relative to the fuel truck fleet. Drones’ efficiency in short-distance deliveries alleviates trucks’ load, cutting environmental and operational costs. This study offers practical insights and recommendations for implementing drone-truck parallel delivery systems, particularly in high-demand density areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/1/54last-mile deliverydrone deliverylifecycle assessmentsustainabilityenvironmental impacteconomic impact |
| spellingShingle | Danwen Bao Yu Yan Yuhan Li Jiajun Chu The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems Drones last-mile delivery drone delivery lifecycle assessment sustainability environmental impact economic impact |
| title | The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems |
| title_full | The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems |
| title_fullStr | The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems |
| title_short | The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Lifecycle Environmental and Economic Impacts of Drone-Truck Parallel Systems |
| title_sort | future of last mile delivery lifecycle environmental and economic impacts of drone truck parallel systems |
| topic | last-mile delivery drone delivery lifecycle assessment sustainability environmental impact economic impact |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/1/54 |
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