When Convenience Comes with Carbon: A Simulation of Urban Parcel Locker Impacts in the Last Mile
Research Poster Engineering 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Mustafa Fardin
Exhibition Number 169
Abstract
This study examines the impacts of neighborhood parcel lockers (PLs) in an urban last-mile logistics environment using agent-based modeling and simulation in a New York City zip code area. We simulated potential scenarios for decision-makers like varying PL adoption rates in population, delivery vehicle capacity, and number of PLs. The simulation uses the sociodemographic distributions of the region from the American Community Survey to model the demand, various operational parameters from literature, and the emission parameters from Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator 4.0 by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Results show that while PLs reduce the amount of failed and delayed deliveries by up to 11%, the additional pick-up trips by customers change the dynamics. A rise in PL adoption from 5.5% to 100% leads to a 62% increase in total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and a 43% rise in CO2 emissions, the major contributors of which are the pick-up trips. However, the same increase in PL adoption results in a 22% reduction in NOx and a 25% decrease in PM10 emissions, offering potential health benefits for urban residents. Optimizing delivery vehicle capacity from 200 to 300 packages reduces CO2 emissions by 18%, and expanding the PL network from three lockers to four reduces system-wide VMT by 32%. But additional expansions show minimal benefits. These results underscore the need for a holistic approach to urban logistics planning and our findings can be used in developing sustainable last-mile logistics solutions and policies that can reap the maximum benefits of the system.
Importance
The growing complexity of urban delivery demands innovative solutions that balance operational efficiency with environmental sustainability. This research provides critical insights into the potential impacts of parcel lockers (PLs) on urban environment and logistics operations, revealing that widespread adoption is not a simple environmental solution. By demonstrating how customer pick-up trips and delivery strategies can significantly alter emission profiles, the study offers policymakers and urban planners a nuanced understanding of technological interventions. The findings highlight the importance of holistic system design, showing that increased PL adoption can simultaneously reduce certain pollutants while increasing overall vehicle miles traveled, thus emphasizing the need for carefully designed urban logistics strategies.