Drone Delivery in Urban Last-Mile Logis tics: Challenges, Significance, Barriers, and Future Prospects
Xu, Caroline shan (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202604247801
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202604247801
Tiivistelmä
In recent years, increasing pressure has been placed on urban last-mile delivery systems due to rising e-commerce demand, higher customer expectations, and growing concerns related to congestion and sustainability. As a result, alternative delivery solutions, including drone delivery, have attracted significant attention.
The objective of the study was to examine the role of drone delivery in urban last-mile logistics by analysing three key aspects: the challenges faced by current delivery systems, the reasons drone delivery is considered important and innovative, and the barriers that limit its practical implementation.
The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach based on a literature review. Academic articles, industry reports, and applied research publications were collected from databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Theseus. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis method, which enabled the identification of recurring patterns and key themes across the selected sources.
The results indicate that urban last-mile delivery systems face structural challenges related to high operational costs, congestion, complex delivery conditions, and increasing service expectations. Drone delivery is identified as a potentially valuable complementary solution, particularly in situations requiring speed, direct routing, and time-sensitive delivery. However, significant barriers remain, including technical limitations, regulatory constraints, operational complexity, and issues related to public acceptance.
It was concluded that drone delivery should not be regarded as a universal replacement for conventional delivery systems, but rather as a context-dependent and supplementary solution. Its future role in urban logistics depends on the coordinated development of technology, regulation, infrastructure, and social acceptance.
The objective of the study was to examine the role of drone delivery in urban last-mile logistics by analysing three key aspects: the challenges faced by current delivery systems, the reasons drone delivery is considered important and innovative, and the barriers that limit its practical implementation.
The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach based on a literature review. Academic articles, industry reports, and applied research publications were collected from databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Theseus. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis method, which enabled the identification of recurring patterns and key themes across the selected sources.
The results indicate that urban last-mile delivery systems face structural challenges related to high operational costs, congestion, complex delivery conditions, and increasing service expectations. Drone delivery is identified as a potentially valuable complementary solution, particularly in situations requiring speed, direct routing, and time-sensitive delivery. However, significant barriers remain, including technical limitations, regulatory constraints, operational complexity, and issues related to public acceptance.
It was concluded that drone delivery should not be regarded as a universal replacement for conventional delivery systems, but rather as a context-dependent and supplementary solution. Its future role in urban logistics depends on the coordinated development of technology, regulation, infrastructure, and social acceptance.