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Publicações

Publicações por CESE

2023

Sustainable Urban Last-Mile Logistics: A Systematic Literature Review

Autores
Silva, V; Amaral, A; Fontes, T;

Publicação
SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract
Globalisation, urbanisation and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has been raising the demand for logistic activities. This change is affecting the entire supply chain, especially the last-mile step. This step is considered the most expensive and ineffective part of the supply chain and a source of negative economic, environmental and social externalities. This article aims to characterise the sustainable urban last-mile logistics research field through a systematic literature review (N = 102). This wide and holistic review was organised into six thematic clusters that identified the main concepts addressed in the different areas of the last-mile research and the existence of 14 solutions, grouped into three types (vehicular, operational, and organisational solutions). The major findings are that there are no ideal last-mile solutions as their limitations should be further explored by considering the so-called triple bottom line of sustainability; the integration and combination of multiple last-mile alternative concepts; or by establishing collaboration schemes that minimise the stakeholders' conflicting interests.

2023

Anticipation of New and Emerging Trends for Sustainable Last-Mile Urban Distribution

Autores
Silva, V; Amaral, A; Fontes, T;

Publicação
SMART ENERGY FOR SMART TRANSPORT, CSUM2022

Abstract
Globalization and the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increased number of consumers using e-commerce services. This trend has been raising the demand for logistic activities, especially on the last-mile. This part of the supply chain is expensive and ineffective, and a source of negative externalities such as air and noise pollution, traffic congestion and accidents. The anticipation of innovative solutions can help to mitigate these costs. In this context, this paper provides a systematic literature review of the existing literature regarding emerging solutions for last-mile parcel delivery. For guiding the development of more sustainable last-mile parcel distribution, and to provide some insights for future research, we identified and summarized the emerging concepts within this field domain. The results show that innovative solutions have been emerging at different levels: (i) definition of new crowdsourcing-based models, (ii) use of new types of vehicles, and (iii) development of optimization systems based on data collection and the combination of different technologies. Moreover, recent studies show that new strategies are being developed focusing on using consumers as active actors of delivery; non-road and autonomous vehicles are promising concepts in last-mile operations; and different logistic operations, such as vehicle routing, are being optimized with data analytics, cloud technology and mobile apps.

2023

The Impact of CNG on Buses Fleet Decarbonization: A Case Study

Autores
Oliveira, JPF; Fontes, T; Galvao, T;

Publicação
SMART ENERGY FOR SMART TRANSPORT, CSUM2022

Abstract
By 2050, and in the context of decarbonization and carbon neutrality, many companies worldwide are looking for low-carbon alternatives. Transport companies are probably the most challenging due to the continuing growth in global demand and the high dependency on fossil fuels. Some alternatives are emerging to replace conventional diesel vehicles and thus reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. One of these alternatives is the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG). In this paper, we provide a detailed study of the current emissions from the largest bus fleet company in the metropolitan area of Oporto. For this analysis, we used a top-down and a bottom-up methodology based on EMEP/EEA guidebook to compute the CO2 and air pollution (CO, NMVOC, PM2.5, and NOx) emissions from the fleet. Fuel consumption, energy consumption, vehicle slaughter, electric bus incorporation, and the investments made were taken into consideration in the analyses. From the case study, the overall reduction in CO2 emission was just 6.3%, and the emission factors (air pollutants) from CNG-powered buses and diesel-powered buses are closer and closer. For confirming these results and question the effectiveness of the fleet transitions from diesel to CNG vehicles, we analysed two scenarios. The obtained results reveal the potential and effectiveness of electric buses and other fuel alternatives to reduce CO2 and air pollution.

2023

Towards sustainable last-mile logistics: A decision-making model for complex urban contexts

Autores
Silva, V; Amaral, A; Fontes, T;

Publicação
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY

Abstract
E-commerce growth is raising the demand for logistic activities, especially in the last-mile, which is considered the most ineffective part of the supply chain and a negative externalities source. Although various solutions aim to address these issues, selecting the best one is challenging due to multiple perspectives, conflicting criteria, trade-offs, and complex and sensitive urban contexts. This article proposes a 4-level hierarchical model based on the triple bottom line of sustainability that may assist decision-makers in selecting the most adequate last -mile solution for historic centers. The model was defined based on a systematic literature review; evaluated by interviewing a set of experts; and quantified according to an AHP-TOPSIS approach. This quantification focused on the historic center of Porto, Portugal. The experts considered all three sustainability dimensions similarly important. Air pollution was the most valued sub-criterion whereas Visual pollution was the least. 67 decision-maker profiles were defined, showing that environmentally oriented decision-makers prefer cargo bikes, while decision-makers who prioritize economic and social factors prefer parcel lockers. All last-mile solutions considered in the model yielded similar results, therefore suggesting a combined distribution strategy. Nevertheless, the use of parcel lockers is the most favorable solution for Porto's historic center.

2023

A Simulation Study of Aircraft Boarding Strategies

Autores
Moreira, H; Ferreira, LP; Fernandes, NO; Silva, FJG; Ramos, AL; Avila, P;

Publicação
MATHEMATICS

Abstract
To ensure the safety of passengers concerning virus propagation, such as COVID-19, and keep the turnaround time at low levels, airlines should seek efficient aircraft boarding strategies in terms of both physical distancing and boarding times. This study seeks to analyze the impact of different boarding strategies in the context of the International Air Transport Association's recommendations during the pandemic to reduce interference and physical contact between passengers in airplanes. Boarding strategies such as back-to-front, outside-in, reverse pyramid, blocks, Steffen, and modified optimal have been tested in this context. This study extends the previous literature using discrete event simulation to evaluate the impact of the occupation of the middle seat by family members only. This study also analyses the impact of having passengers carrying hand luggage and priority passengers on the performance of these strategies concerning boarding times. In general, the simulation results revealed a 15% improvement in boarding times when the reverse pyramid strategy is used compared to a random strategy, which essentially results from a reduction in the boarding interferences between passengers. The results also show that Steffen's strategy is the best performing, while the blocks strategy results in the worst performance. This study has practical implications for airline companies concerning both operation efficiency and passenger safety.

2023

Sustainable Implementation of Robotic Process Automation Based on a Multi-Objective Mathematical Model

Autores
Patrício, L; Costa, L; Varela, L; Avila, P;

Publicação
SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract
(1) Background: In this study on Robotic Process Automation (RPA), the feasibility of sustainable RPA implementation was investigated, considering user requirements in the context of this technology's stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. (2) Methods: A multi-objective mathematical model was developed and the Weighted Sum and Tchebycheff methods were used to evaluate the efficiency of the implementation. An enterprise case study was utilized for data collection, employing investigation hypotheses, questionnaires, and brainstorming sessions with company stakeholders. (3) Results: The results underscore the significance of user requirements within the RPA landscape and demonstrate that integrating these requirements into the multi-objective model enhances the implementation assessment. Practical guidelines for RPA planning and management with a sustainability focus are provided. The analysis reveals a solution that reduces initial costs by 21.10% and allows for an efficient and equitable allocation of available resources. (4) Conclusion: This study advances our understanding of the interplay between user requirements and RPA feasibility, offering viable guidelines for the sustainable implementation of this technology.

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