Impacts of green last mile logistics innovations in urban and rural areas

Authored by

Felix N. Bäßmann, Maximilian Heumann, Johannes Staritz, Lasse Bienzeisler, Oskar Wage, Michael H. Breitner

Abstract

With the growth of urban populations and the centralization of rural supply, e-commerce is booming, requiring logistics innovations. This development, coupled with increasing pressure for decarbonization, challenges traditional paradigms of goods and service provision in different areas. Building on the concept of green logistics, we aim to unravel the growing complexity of economic and environmental sustainability impacts of logistics innovations to support strategic decision-making. We employ a Delphi study to dissect and assess thirteen logistics innovations across urban and rural landscapes. Engaging four panels of experts from public administration, academia, consultancy, and NGOs, we analyze the economic and environmental sustainability impacts as well as the implementation potential of logistics innovations. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers and urban planners, and strategic guidance for logistics companies. We contribute to the prioritization of logistics innovations and the understanding of inter-observer reliability among logistics stakeholders.

Details

Organisation(s): Institute of Computer Science for Business Administration
Institute of Cartography and Geoinformatics
External Organisation(s): University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover (HsH)
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Type: Article
Journal: European transport research review
Volume: 18
ISSN: 1867-0717
Publication date: 18.03.2026
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Automotive Engineering, Transportation, Mechanical Engineering
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-026-00779-4 (Access: Open )