WAlking and PArking Dynamics of Drivers (WAPADD): Analysis and Model Development for Sustainable Urban Delivery

Purpose and goal:

The project aims to develop empirical models reproduce walking and parking behaviors and employ them into the evaluation of innovative solutions, such as e-carts and parking management strategies.

This project aims to answer two research questions: (1) How do delivery drivers’ walking and parking behaviors affect the efficiency and sustainability of delivery routes in urban settings? (2). Can new technological solutions help carriers reshaping delivery routes and achieve more sustainable and efficient urban delivery operations?

Expected results and effects:

Statistical models of delivery drivers’ behavior will be estimated and included in a simulation framework to test different policy and technology scenarios. The main results from the project will provide a fundamental understanding of the role of parking and walking in last-mile deliveries and how to improve last-mile delivery sustainability (from an efficiency and environmental perspective).

Approach and implementation:

1. Gather historical data from in-vehicle telematics and drivers’ proofs of delivery and reporting in Seattle and Stockholm. 2. Employ the processed data to train statistical models of delivery drivers’ parking and walking behaviors.

3. Arrange two dedicated workshops with local industry and city stakeholders to identify scenarios reflecting technological solutions characterizing their potential impacts on carriers’ routes. 4. Design and implement the two identified scenarios, creating “synthetic” data. Derive and analyze different KPIs.