Logistics

How does city congestion impact last-mile logistics?

If you've ever been stuck in a traffic jam, you know how frustrating it can be. Now, imagine that situation if you're a deliveryman with dozens of customers waiting for their package. In a world where promptness is key, traffic delays not only affect customer satisfaction, but they also increase operating costs and create enormous logistical challenges.

Traffic is a global problem, but in some cities like London, Mexico City or Bogota, congestion has become part of everyday life. In these metropolises, a 15-minute journey can become an odyssey of hours, affecting people's quality of life and posing an enormous challenge for companies that rely on fast and efficient deliveries.

How does congestion affect last-mile deliveries?

For e-commerce and logistics companies, traffic is much more than a nuisance: It is a factor that directly impacts costs and customer experience. Among the main problems it causes are:

Constant delays: Consumers, who are used to promptness, expect quickly and on time. However, congestion makes delivery times unpredictable, affecting customer satisfaction and generating more complaints.

Increased operating costs: more time on the road means more fuel consumed and more hours of work for delivery people, increasing logistics costs and reducing profit margins for companies.

Inefficiency in route planning: you may have the best distribution strategy on paper, but if traffic is stopped, the entire operation will be affected. Without real-time planning, deliverymen can be stuck with no viable options.

Lower productivity: the more time you waste in traffic, the fewer packages than expected you will deliver on the day, affecting the efficiency of the entire logistics chain.

Impact on brand perception: When a customer receives their package late, they will most likely blame the shipping company or e-commerce, regardless of whether the delay is due to traffic. This can lead to a bad reputation and affect customer loyalty.

Strategies to reduce the impact of last-mile traffic

Fortunately, companies aren't completely at the mercy of traffic. With the right technology and strategies, it is possible to minimize the effects of congestion and improve delivery efficiency.

Real-time route optimization: tools such as Routal they use advanced algorithms to adjust deliveryers' routes according to traffic, avoiding traffic jams and improving delivery times.

Use of urban microhubs: Many companies are implementing small distribution centers within cities to reduce delivery distances and allow more agile vehicles to handle the last few kilometers.

Alternative vehicles: in urban environments, electric bikes, motorcycles and even drones are starting to play an important role in last-mile logistics. These modes of transport can move more easily between traffic and access areas where large vehicles are restricted.

Deliveries at strategic times: some operators are betting on delivering to nighttime or off-peak hours, when congestion is lower, improving delivery times and reducing operating costs.

Smart locker systems and collection points: instead of taking each package directly to the customer's door, many companies are choosing to deliver to strategically located lockers or collection points, allowing customers to pick up their orders when it suits them and avoiding multiple delivery attempts.

Where is the future of logistics going in congested cities?

Cities are not going to stop growing and traffic is unlikely to disappear. However, last-mile logistics is rapidly evolving to adapt to this scenario. Companies that invest in technology, innovation and intelligent planning will be those that manage to remain competitive and offer an efficient service to their customers.

In addition, trends in sustainable mobility are beginning to play an important role in solving this problem. More and more cities are promoting the use of electric vehicles, exclusive lanes for light cargo transport and regulations to optimize traffic in urban areas.

The challenge is great, but with the right strategies, it is possible to overcome congestion and ensure fast and efficient deliveries.

And you, what strategies have you implemented to prevent traffic from ruining your deliveries? Have you tried any innovative solutions?