ARE DRONES TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS FOR THE LAST-MILE REACH IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/tkcthb18Keywords:
Drone logistics, last-mile delivery, urban logistics, operations management, business innovation, supply chain managementAbstract
The rapid growth of e-commerce, urban congestion, and rising customer expectations for faster delivery have increased pressure on last-mile logistics systems. This study examines the role of drone technology in improving urban last-mile delivery from business, operational, sustainability, and managerial perspectives. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how drone-enabled logistics can enhance delivery efficiency, accessibility, cost performance, and strategic value while identifying major barriers to large-scale adoption. A secondary research approach was adopted, using peer-reviewed literature, industry reports, government publications, and case studies of Amazon Prime Air, UPS Flight Forward, DHL Parcelcopter, and Zipline. The findings indicate that drones can improve delivery speed, reduce dependence on congested road networks, support access to hard-to-reach areas, and create value in urgent, lightweight, and healthcare-related deliveries. Adoption remains limited by payload capacity, battery life, weather dependency, infrastructure needs, regulation, safety, privacy, and public acceptance. The study concludes that drones are more effective as complementary tools within hybrid logistics networks than as complete replacements for traditional delivery systems. Managerially, firms should adopt drone logistics selectively through cost-benefit analysis, regulatory compliance, infrastructure planning, and strategic integration with existing supply chain operations.
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