Publications
Searching for:
- "Carbon emissions (CO2)"
Emitted as a byproduct of vehicle engines that burn any form of petroleum, commonly gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel in the transportation industry, CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to heat being trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. In urban freight, we can see this play out as the number of home deliveries continues to increase. Fuel-consuming last-mile vehicles like box trucks and cargo vans drive around cities, back and forth from warehouses, and spend time cruising when parking spaces are unavailable.
Report
Published: 2025
Summary:
Boston Delivers is a pilot project that promoted sustainable methods of making neighborhood deliveries for local businesses in Allston, Brighton, and the surrounding area. Instead of motor vehicles, packages were delivered by electric cargo bikes. The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) partnered with Net Zero Logistics (Net Zero) to carry out this delivery service. Net Zero Logistics provided electric cargo bikes, made deliveries, and coordinated delivery logistics.
Boston Delivers is a pilot project that promoted sustainable methods of making neighborhood deliveries for local businesses in Allston, Brighton, and the surrounding area. Instead of motor vehicles, packages were delivered by electric cargo bikes. The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) partnered with Net Zero Logistics (Net Zero) to carry out this delivery service. Net Zero Logistics provided electric cargo bikes, made deliveries, and coordinated delivery logistics.
Topics:
Bicycle Research: Cargo Bikes and Bike-Truck InteractionsCommunity ResearchUrban Goods Delivery and Land Use
Bicycle Research: Cargo Bikes and Bike-Truck InteractionsCommunity ResearchUrban Goods Delivery and Land Use
Paper
Published: 2018
Journal/Book: Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
Summary:
This research paper estimates carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) levels of two delivery models, one by trucks and the other by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or “drones.” Using several ArcGIS tools and emission standards within a framework of logistical and operational assumptions, it has been found that emission results vary greatly and are highly dependent on the energy requirements of the drone, as well as the distance it must travel and the number of recipients…
This research paper estimates carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) levels of two delivery models, one by trucks and the other by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or “drones.” Using several ArcGIS tools and emission standards within a framework of logistical and operational assumptions, it has been found that emission results vary greatly and are highly dependent on the energy requirements of the drone, as well as the distance it must travel and the number of recipients…