Consumers are looking for convenience. This is reflected in the growth of food e-delivery. However, the extra traffic causes problems in densely populated areas and has a high impact on the environment (CO2, particulate matter, …). The objective of the GLAD activity (Green last mile delivery) is to develop both a strategy and a platform that helps making the last mile in food e-commerce at the same time sustainable and adapted to consumer needs while taking into account the economic reality. The platform is based around the idea of last mile delivery as a service where consumer demand is matched with the offering of different transport means (collection points, e-trucks, bikes, delivery by other consumers, …). The platform will use an algorithm that optimizes the mode of last mile delivery taking into account the ecological footprint, cost to serve, available capacity, traffic data and consumer preferences. Dynamic pricing will be tested at consumer level to increase sustainable behaviour.

CIM will bring together expertise in management, technology and policy to address the full spectrum of manufacturing issues. CIM has expertise on last-mile optimization/modelling and on triangulating data to create personalized food profiles. The researchers will contribute on the following:

1. identification of economic, environmental, nutritional sustainability KPIs
2. multi-layer modelling, supported by validation and evaluation analysis
3. optimal basket analysis in a given geography.

Project Partners: