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Cited by 5Urban and Freight Transport LogisticsVehicle Routing Optimization MethodsAir Traffic Management and Optimization

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Investigating the emissions effect of integrating drones into mixed-mode logistics – A case study of a healthcare setting

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Grote, Matt, Oakey, Andy, Pilko, Aliaksei, Krol, Jakub, Blakesley, Alex, Cherrett, Tom, Scanlan, James, Anvari, Bani, Martinez-Sykora, Antonio·2025·International Journal of Sustainable Transportation
DOI 10.1080/15568318.2025.2564851
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Abstract

Interest is growing in the potential of using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; known as drones) for logistics applications (i.e. last-mile payload delivery). Based on case studies of pathology specimens taken from patients at community clinics and transported to central laboratories for analysis, the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of using drones alongside more traditional transport modes (i.e. electric vans (e-vans) and bicycle couriers) in mixed-mode logistics systems was investigated for networks in locations with contrasting geographic characteristics. Results suggested that reductions in emissions of up to 83% were possible compared to e-van-only solutions. Notably, bicycle couriers made a considerable contribution to these reductions in some cases. In general, serving clinics that were remote and/or isolated tended to be where drones could offer a beneficial effect. Using drones was also associated with decreases in payload transit times (up to 76%) but increases in costs (up to 134%), raising a question regarding the true value of expedited delivery in a medical context.

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Cites

  • Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual origins

    Purvis, B., Mao, Y., & Robinson, D. (2019) · Sustainability Science · doi:10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5 · Cited by 3,279 · cited 1×

    “…the potential effects of introducing drones into logistics systems can be conveniently mapped onto the three-pillar concept of sustainability (Purvis, Mao, & Robinson, 2019): environmental (emissions/energy), social (delivery times and access) and economic (costs) (Grote, Oakey, Pilko, Smith…”

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Metadata

Authors
Grote, M., Oakey, A., Pilko, A., Krol, J., Blakesley, A., Cherrett, T., Scanlan, J., Anvari, B., & Martinez-Sykora, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Southampton (GB)
  • Faculty of Engineering Science, University College London
  • University College London (GB)
  • Southampton Business School, University of Southampton, Boldrewood Campus
Corresponding author
Grote, Matt
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Sustainable Transportation
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2025-09-29
Volume
19
Issue
12
Pages
1200-1219
ISSN
  • 1556-8318 (ISSN-L)
  • 1556-8334
DOI
10.1080/15568318.2025.2564851
OpenAlex
W4414614639
Cited by
5
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 5
FWCI
1.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Sustainable Transportation (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Funders
  • EPSRC
  • Department for Transport
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban and Freight Transport Logistics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Vehicle Routing Optimization Methods
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Air Traffic Management and Optimization
Keywords
unmanned aerial vehicles, last-mile delivery, greenhouse gas emissions, healthcare logistics, electric vans, bicycle couriers, transit time, shipping costs, sustainable transport

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