September 12, 2023

Delivery Routes Optimization

Reducing Environmental Impact through Smart Planning

The logistics sector nowadays plays a crucial role in our daily lives. We have become accustomed to having any product delivered to our doorstep in just a few days, even if it comes from the opposite side of the globe. However, this sector is also responsible for a massive portion of global CO2 emissions. According to the United Nations data, in 2018, the transportation sector accounted for approximately 24% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. According to an estimate from carbonfootprint.com, delivering a standard-sized package (around 1 kg) through an express courier service over 500 km can generate about 2.2 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions. This value considers the direct CO2 emissions generated by the vehicle and the indirect impacts associated with fuel production and road infrastructure maintenance.

Optimizing Last-Mile Logistics for Reduced Environmental Impact

The environmental impact in last-mile logistics, which is the final phase of the supply chain where products are delivered to end customers, is a critical aspect to consider due to several factors such as urban traffic, the use of extra packaging to protect products during transportation, and the inefficiency of deliveries itself. Often, last-mile logistics vehicles may not be fully optimized in terms of load and routes, resulting in unnecessary trips and increased fuel consumption. Below are some techniques and aspects that can be implemented to optimize this phase of the supply chain, obtaining benefits both in terms of emissions and economics:

Travel planning software: The use of specialized software to optimizing vehicle routes is essential to reduce the environmental impact of deliveries. These tools analyse customer data, road restrictions, and vehicle preferences to calculate the most efficient route. By reducing the total distances travelled, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are decreased.
Delivery consolidation: Consolidating deliveries is an effective method to reduce environmental impact. Grouping deliveries by geographic area, logistics operators can reduce the total number of vehicles on the road, utilizing exchange hubs. This maximizes vehicle load capacity and reduces empty trips, saving fuel and lowering emissions.
Use of low-emission vehicles: Choosing low-emission or electric vehicles for deliveries is a significant step toward sustainability. Energy-efficient and low-emission vehicles reduce air pollution and contribute to better air quality. Companies can invest in eco-friendly vehicle fleets or collaborate with delivery services that use sustainable vehicles.

Optimizing delivery routes to reduce environmental impact represents a crucial commitment for companies aiming to contribute to a sustainable future. In this context, Hub & Logistics has emerged as a leading player, developing proprietary software that enables real-time analysis of road and traffic data, allowing for optimal delivery planning with careful consideration of customer needs. The fleet of vehicles used by Hub & Logistics consists of state-of-the-art, latest-generation vehicles characterized by EURO6 pollution standards. This allows for reduced fuel consumption and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.