Spatial Premises and Key Conditions for the Use of UAVs for Delivery of Items on the Example of the Polish Courier and Postal Services Market

Abstract

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the delivery of courier and postal items has the potential to provide benefits in breaking down terrain barriers and reducing congestion in urban areas. In addition, the trend to move away from polluting fossil fuels prompts delivery companies to invest in low- and zero-emission means of transport. Electric UAVs reduce environmental contamination in the delivery area and can also be directly powered by renewable energy sources. The aim of this study is to identify the premises and conditions of UAV implementation on the example of companies delivering courier and postal items in Poland. The basic research methods used for the preparation of this study are critical analysis of the literature on the subject, synthesis, and generalisation, which led to the authors’ own research conducted through partially categorised oral interviews. The conducted considerations confirm the existence of premises and the ability of UAVs for the effective delivery of items. In Poland, the most important limitation in the implementation and dissemination of this delivery method is the high level of social scepticism, reaching 43%. If actions are not taken to neutralise this attitude of society, this factor may effectively prevent the use of UAVs for delivery services.

Analysis and Empirical Study of Factors Influencing Urban Residents’ Acceptance of Routine Drone Deliveries

“…According to the preliminary survey data, 81 respondents-representing 35.03 percent of the valid surveystemporarily reject the normalization of drone delivery in urban areas. This finding is consistent with the findings of previous studies [13,15,29], and the proportion of each component of other statistical indicators in the independent variable that are unrelated to drone delivery is also roughly in line with reality. According to the results of the statistical indicators related to drone delivery in the independent variables, the respondents generally believe that using drones for routine delivery tasks will cause many negative impacts.…”

“…Subfactors for the underlying mechanisms of these factors were identified, and the results are shown in Figure 2 while these subfactors are numbered and succinctly described for the convenience of subsequent research (Table 8). This was done based on the previous descriptive analysis, the team's prior research experience, and literature references [3,10,13,27,[57][58][59].…”

“…As a result, a mature drone distribution network cannot be formed, and little effort has been put into creating the drone logistics industry's "soft environment". The public has grown somewhat wary of adopting this new type of carrier for delivery tasks due to the ongoing influence of news about delivery trials and other tasks by drones [13,14]. While the drone delivery process requires the transmission of both personal information and goods, it is a new and rapidly evolving field of technology, so its corresponding targeted regulatory laws are comparatively lacking, while there is also concern that drone logistics activities will harm public safety, invade people's privacy, and result in other undesirable phenomena.…”

Study of barriers for the use of drones in the last mile logistics

“…According to a Polish study, 43% of the population expressed skepticism about the implementation of drones, implying the existence of social barriers to the adoption of drone delivery of goods [17]. Other studies in urban areas in Australia point out that traditional postal services are preferred over drone delivery despite recent advances in e-commerce and technology [18].…”

Assessing Strategies to Overcome Barriers for Drone Usage in Last-Mile Logistics: A Novel Hybrid Fuzzy MCDM Model

“…Public acceptance and psychological perception (Pp): According to a Polish study, 43% of the population expressed skepticism about the implementation of drones, implying the existence of social barriers to the adoption of drone delivery of goods [110]. Other studies in urban areas in Australia point out that traditional postal services are preferred over drone delivery despite recent advances in e-commerce and technology [111].…”