Simulation-based Assessment of Grocery Shopping in Urban Areas

Abstract

This study proposes a simulation approach for modelling, assessing, and quantifying travel distances caused by stationary grocery shopping activities as well as e-grocery deliveries on the last mile. Utilizing an integrated emission calculation model, the simulated travel values are converted into relevant emission output factors to assess the individual impact of e-grocery deliveries compared to individual shopping trips by private consumers for different scenarios. While e-grocery does not yield an emission saving potential for low penetration rates less than 20 %, up to 41.5 % of the total emission outputs can be economized when home deliveries are employed for a moderate share of the urban population.