Sponsor
This research project was funded by the Freight Mobility Research Institute (FMRI), a U.S. DOT University Transportation Center.
Published In
Transportation Research Record
Document Type
Pre-Print
Publication Date
2019
Subjects
Electronic commerce, Business logistics -- Technological innovations, Delivery of goods -- Management, Business logistics -- Regulatory aspects
Abstract
E-Commerce and package deliveries are growing at a fast pace and there is an increased demand for same-day deliveries. Established delivery companies and new startups are investing in technologies that reduce delivery times and/or increase delivery drivers’ productivity. In this context, the adoption of Sidewalk Automated (or Autonomous) Delivery Robots (SADRs) has a growing appeal. SADRs are pedestrian sized robots that deliver items to customers without the intervention of a delivery person. Since SADRs travel on sidewalks they have been the subject of increasing regulation by local agencies in the US. The three research questions that guide this research effort are: (a) What are the limitations imposed by existing regulations in the US, (b) What are the technical capabilities of existing SADRs, and (c) Given the existing capabilities and regulations, what are the time/cost savings and efficiencies that SADRs can bring about? The first part of the research discusses current US regulations on SADRs and reviews existing SADR devices and their capabilities. Building on this knowledge, the second half of the research presents a novel model to estimate delivery time and number of customers served utilizing a combination of SADRs and a special delivery van. These results are compared with a baseline (or prevailing) delivery system utilizing only a conventional delivery van-human driver. Results, insights, and potential implications are discussed. The results show that SADRs can provide substantial cost and time savings in some scenarios. Furthermore, the introduction of SADRs may significantly reduce on road travel per package delivered.
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/28409
Citation Details
Jennings, D., and Figliozzi, M. (2019). A Study of Sidewalk Autonomous Delivery Robots and Their Potential Impacts on Freight Efficiency and Travel, Forthcoming 2019 Transportation Research Record.
Included in
Science and Technology Policy Commons, Technology and Innovation Commons, Transportation Commons
Description
This is the authors' manuscript of a forthcoming article that will be published by SAGE Publications in the Transportation Research Record.