Planning for first/last mile delivery along intercity rail corridor

Abstract

Cargo transportation by rail for long distances has always been promoted as it is more economically and environmentally sustainable than Road transport. Rail is a guided mode of transportation, so one of the major challenges for the transportation of parcels by rail is last or first-mile connectivity to the Railway station or Parcel office. For the first and last leg of cargo delivery, rail is dependent on road transportation as it is more flexible and convenient for door-to-door delivery. This study aims to understand and plan for sustainable first/ last mile delivery of Rail parcels. The objectives are to study the existing scenario of the first and last leg of Rail parcel distribution; identify the relevant parameters from the literature; analyze its operational characteristics, cost, delays, & impact on the environment and further suggest alternative strategies for sustainable and seamless door-todoor distribution of cargo through intercity Rail. The methodology adopted to achieve these objectives includes a pilot survey and understanding of the Rail parcel delivery process followed by a literature review to identify parameters. Broadly the parameters identified are 1) Freight Demand and Handling 2) Distribution 3) Cost Estimation 4) Emission Estimation. These parameters are further divided into sub-parameters. Based on the identified parameters, primary and secondary data was collected which includes on-site Truck Drivers, Establishments, and Rail cargo agent interviews with the Traffic volume count on stations. On the basis of the data collected, the study analyzed the volume of parcel-carrying vehicles and identified the more preferred vehicle type and their average trip lengths along with the demand regions of the city. Further, delays, total emissions, and generalized transportation costs are estimated and the factors affecting the cost are analyzed. From the on-field survey at 5 major railway stations, it has been found that rail parcels are majorly transported by LCVs having gross vehicle weight < 3.5 T and 22% of the parcels through non-motorized cargo transport. LCVs are under-utilized while NMTs are over-utilized in terms of capacity utilization. Commodities are transported from some important wholesale markets and mandis. Transportation of parcels increases the freight movement on the roads of the city accounting for 1985 MT annual C02 emissions from CNG Light commercial vehicles and faces an average of 4-40 minutes of delay in reaching the Parcel collection hub. On the other hand, the cost of transporting a parcel by rail costs around 0.01 – 0.003 Rs./kg-km for 50 – 1000 km whereas the first/ last leg of the delivery costs much higher. On the basis of inferences, the study recommends the modification in the existing fleet – the use of BEVs with higher payload capacity and lower cost of ownership of vehicles. Other measures suggested by the study are load optimization, reduction in dead mileage trips, and scheduled delivery times using a mobile application-based system. Further, some recommendations are suggested for the action plan of the Rail operating organization. This can provide seamless first/ last mile delivery of rail parcels making it more reliable for the users which can increase the demand, thus increasing the revenue. This study can be taken ahead looking for more automation-based solutions. The methodology adopted can help academicians and researchers in targeting a particular set of strategies finding economical, environment-friendly, and safer options not only for the first/ last mile of Rail parcels but also for other last-mile deliveries of other activities.