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Estimating the benefits of dedicated unloading bays by field experimentation

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  • Fransoo, Jan C.
  • Cedillo-Campos, M. Gastón
  • Gámez-Pérez, Karla M.

Abstract

In most dense urban environments in emerging markets, retail deliveries are very fragmented to thousands of nanostores. It is not uncommon for a delivery route to include more than 60 stops. Unloading bays are often blocked by regular traffic. Due to the complex urban environment, it is difficult to estimate the benefits of making unloading bays available. In this study, we conduct a field experiment in an urban field lab of one square kilometer in the downtown of Querétaro, Mexico. During the treatment period of one week, we obtain help from the local traffic police to keep the unloading bays available for unloading only. Using advanced GPS devices and extensive manual field observations, we are able to capture the change in driver behavior and the direct efficiency increases. We find a high efficiency gain, not only in travel time (39%) but also – remarkably – in the total time parked (17%). Corrected for other effects, we estimate a gain of about 44% in total time per delivery. Apart from the insights on unloading benefits, we also provide insights into the method of field experimentation in such a complex environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Fransoo, Jan C. & Cedillo-Campos, M. Gastón & Gámez-Pérez, Karla M., 2022. "Estimating the benefits of dedicated unloading bays by field experimentation," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 348-354.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:160:y:2022:i:c:p:348-354
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2022.03.023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Legros, Benjamin & Fransoo, Jan C., 2023. "Admission and pricing optimization of on-street parking with delivery bays," Other publications TiSEM 6d41ee5c-27dc-4d34-aff1-4, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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