Abstract Common-carrier parcel lockers have emerged as a secure, automated, self-service means of delivery consolidation in congested urban areas, which are believed to mitigate last-mile delivery challenges through reducing out-of-vehicle delivery times and consequently vehicle dwell times at the curb. However, little research exists to empirically demonstrate the environmental and efficiency gains from this technology. In this study, we designed a nonequivalent groups pre-test/post-test control experiment to estimate the causal effects of a parcel locker on delivery times in a residential building in downtown Seattle, WA. The causal effects are measured in terms of vehicle dwell time and the time delivery couriers spend inside the building, through the difference-in-difference method and using a similar nearby residential building as a control. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in time spent inside the building, and small yet insignificant reduction in delivery vehicle dwell time at the curb. The locker was also well received by the building managers and residents.
Highlights First empirical analysis of impacts of parcel lockers on delivery times. A before/after control experiment in a multi-story residential building. The average delivery time inside the building was cut by half. The average delivery vehicle dwell time at the curb was decreased by one third. 96% of residents were satisfied with the locker, noting ease-of-use and no/fewer missed/stolen deliveries.
Do parcel lockers reduce delivery times? Evidence from the field
2023-02-09
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Flexible parcel delivery to automated parcel lockers: models, solution methods and analysis
Online Contents | 2019
|A Scheduling Strategy of Mobile Parcel Lockers for the Last Mile Delivery Problem
DOAJ | 2020
|Deploying autonomous mobile lockers in a two-echelon parcel operation
Elsevier | 2021
|Locating Automated Parcel Lockers (APL) with known customers’ demand: a mixed approach proposal
DOAJ | 2023
|