By Marc Boher
Article written and published for IMPI magazine March 2025
BEYOND TRAFFIC CONGESTION, last-mile delivery raises important sustainability concerns. A significant percentage of CO₂ emissions come from freight transportation, making it a key factor in the fight against climate change. Cities face the challenge of balancing the growing demand for fast deliveries with the need to reduce environmental impact. In response, both governments and the private sector have begun to implement technology-based strategies to optimize logistics processes and mitigate the negative effects of urban distribution.
From a financial point of view, the last mile represents a major cost challenge for companies. Approximately 50% of total logistics costs are concentrated in this final stretch due to waiting times, difficulty in finding adequate parking and fines for unauthorized stops. To address these problems, the industry has been forced to innovate, exploring solutions that increase operational efficiency, minimize costs and reduce their impact on urban mobility and the environment. Some of these innovations include route optimization through artificial intelligence, micro-distribution centers and automated parcel lockers.
One of the most pressing issues in last-mile logistics is parking. A recent report, Standardizing the Curb: Seattle’s Curb Data Journey, revealed that delivery drivers spend up to 80% of their time parked during deliveries. The lack of available loading zones creates chaos: illegal parking, congestion from vehicles looking for space, unnecessary detours, and frequent tickets that affect operational efficiency. How can it be solved? Technology offers tangible solutions. Real-time parking availability systems let drivers know in advance where they can stop. IoT sensors installed in loading zones generate valuable data on space usage, and the challenge lies in leveraging this information effectively to make data-driven decisions. Having accurate information and knowing how to interpret it enables strategic planning that optimizes urban mobility and logistics efficiency. This is why the digitization of loading zones has become a key solution.
An outstanding example of digitalization of loading zones is the project implemented in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, a city in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Users must register via a mobile app to obtain a parking permit in areas designated for loading and unloading. This permit allows logistics operators to park for a limited time to make their deliveries without risk of a fine. Once parked, they generate a digital ticket that validates the use of the space. This system, now extended throughout much of the Barcelona metropolitan area, has enabled more efficient management of loading zones. Since its implementation, thousands of tickets have been issued, demonstrating strong user adoption.
L’Hospitalet has also deployed cameras to automate monitoring and collect accurate data on zone usage, improving planning. A camera-equipped vehicle, known as ScanCar, patrols the zone capturing license plates to verify compliance. Fixed cameras send real-time alerts if an unauthorized vehicle occupies a space or exceeds the time allowed, reducing the need for the ScanCar to pass again and improving enforcement efficiency. With 450 cameras installed, the system already allows real-time monitoring of occupancy and generates automatic alerts for officers.
Another example is in San Sebastian, Spain, where 700 magnetic sensors are being deployed to detect parking violations in real time, ensuring compliance with regulations and optimizing space availability. The system cross-references sensor data with digital tickets issued to registered users. Initially, the project will focus on informing drivers about restrictions before starting to sanction. This semi-automated approach is expected to improve compliance and increase the efficiency of managing loading zones. These smart systems streamline urban logistics and help reduce congestion and emissions. Over time, the data collected could provide valuable information on parking demand patterns and help define urban mobility policies.
Other cities have also developed innovative strategies to address last-mile challenges. In Hamburg, an AI-based traffic management system prioritizes delivery vehicles, reducing congestion at peak times. London has promoted the creation of urban micro-distribution centers and the adoption of electric trucks by large logistics companies. Barcelona has leveraged IoT sensors to optimize parking management and digitize loading zones, significantly reducing delivery times. In Tokyo, a network of AI-enabled smart warehouses improves inventory management efficiency and minimizes shipping times. Los Angeles has tested autonomous drones in pilot programs to assess their viability in dense urban areas.
While advances in autonomous vehicles and drones promise to revolutionize urban deliveries, their wide-scale adoption still faces significant challenges. Companies such as Amazon and Google have advanced drone testing, but regulatory and safety barriers complicate widespread deployment. Beyond the technology, integrating these solutions into an already congested and evolving urban environment remains a challenge.
Predictive systems based on big data allow companies to adjust delivery routes in real time, reducing waiting times and congestion generated by delivery vehicles. However, the fragmentation of the sector hinders their mass adoption. Large logistics operators use proprietary systems, which complicates the coordination of a unified urban network.
Urban microcenters have also gained importance. These small, strategically located warehouses make it possible to consolidate packages to reduce final delivery distances. However, their management poses challenges such as accessibility, regulation and integration with other logistics operators. Although deliveries by bicycle or electric vehicles are a promising solution, motorized transport remains essential, reinforcing the need for technology to regulate and optimize its impact on mobility. In addition, the development of robotic systems for the last mile could complement human labor and offer more sustainable alternatives.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution: each city’s approach will depend on its culture, regulations, investment capacity and existing infrastructure. The key to good parking and public space management lies in maximizing efficiency and automating control. We can reduce traffic congestion and improve urban mobility through real-time information and digital tools that facilitate decision making.
Implementing smart last mile solutions is a complex process that requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders. Public administrations must work together with technology companies and logistics operators to ensure the effectiveness of these strategies. In addition, it is essential to raise public awareness of the importance of sustainable urban mobility and its role in this transformation. With a well-designed strategy, backed by data and optimization of public space, it is possible to balance operational efficiency with environmental sustainability, and turn last-mile logistics into a more agile and efficient model for all.
Last mile logistics is undergoing a profound transformation. The technology is ready, but the real challenge is for cities, businesses and citizens to adopt these solutions in a coordinated and efficient manner. The future of urban freight will depend on our ability to innovate, regulate intelligently and ensure that new solutions respond to the needs of an increasingly complex urban ecosystem.
