Towards sustainable urban logistics: the evolution of digital marketplace

Many existing industrial solutions for transportation services assume tightly controlled optimization scenarios where the price does not take a centre role, yet these models heavily rely on long-term business relationships between shippers and carriers. A number of solutions have been proposed for auction-based marketplaces with market-clearing property models, where supply and demand dictate the price and through innovation and improve transparency and efficiency. The overall objectives of these efforts are aimed at finding a balance that assures maximizing capital efficiency, maximizing customer satisfaction and minimizing logistical complexity, hence maximizing scalability. Some Uberlike experiences have recently emerged, introducing fresh perspectives and putting back the spotlight on the potential of digital markets in transportation industry. In this article, we take a look at how the ideas of digital marketplaces have evolved over time and specifically consider how the lessons learned can be applied in last-mile urban logistics. We also present a prototype marketplace for urban city logistics and draw initial conclusions.