A Metro-Based System as Sustainable Alternative for Urban Logistics in the Era of E-Commerce

Business to consumer e-commerce (B2C) has increased sharply in recent years driven by a growing online population and changes behavior. In metropolitan areas, the “Amazon effect” (online retailers’ vast selection, fast shipping, free returns, low prices) led an use of light goods vehicles. This is affecting rational functioning transport system, including high degree fragmentation, load optimization, and, among other externalities, higher traffic congestion. paper investigates potential metro big city like Madrid, provide delivery services leveraging its existing carrying capacity using stations collect parcels lockers. It would be new mixed distribution model for last-mile deliveries associated with e-commerce. To that end, evaluates cost impacts two alternative scenarios managing unused space rolling stock (shared trains) or specific full train (dedicated on lines. The external costs proposed are compared current scenario (parcel road). results show underground could significantly reduce congestion costs, accidents, noise, GHG emissions, air pollution.