Is crowdshipping a sustainable last-mile delivery solution? A case study of Rome

Last-mile delivery, one of the most polluting segments of the supply chain, is the focus of numerous studies. There are various innovative delivery methods aimed at mitigating its adverse effects. This study explores whether crowdshipping (CS) could serve as a sustainable urban logistics solution for Rome, assessing its environmental viability. It poses the question: Can Rome adopt CS, and if so, how sustainable would it be? Using real-world data, we employed the MASS-GT simulation tool to simulate parcel demand for various parcel companies in Rome's urban areas. Additionally, we considered real data on trips made by employees to offices within the study area and their modes of transport. The analyses include predicting parcel demand and forming parcel schedules, both with and without CS. We also assessed employees' willingness to make detours for parcel pickups. Our findings suggest that CS can reduce emissions depending on users' willingness to adjust travel routes, which can be incentivized through monetization. Furthermore, by considering the fleet composition of parcel companies, we quantified the potential emissions savings achievable through CS. The results indicate that CS is applicable in Rome and could significantly reduce emissions by approximately 1.3 tonnes of CO$_2$ per day, equivalent to 93 euros in the EU's Emissions Trading System. This approach aligns with European emissions plans and validates the feasibility of CS in Rome through practical research. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of encouraging user participation and supporting CS platforms.