Investigating the emissions effect of integrating drones into mixed-mode logistics – A case study of a healthcare setting

Interest is growing in the potential of using Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; known as drones) for logistics applications (i.e. last-mile payload delivery). Based on case studies of pathology specimens taken from patients at community clinics and transported to central laboratories for analysis, the effect on greenhouse gas emissions of using drones alongside more traditional transport modes (i.e. electric vans (e-vans) and bicycle couriers) in mixed-mode logistics systems was investigated for networks in locations with contrasting geographic characteristics. Results suggested that reductions in emissions of up to 83% were possible compared to e-van-only solutions. Notably, bicycle couriers made a considerable contribution to these reductions in some cases. In general, serving clinics that were remote and/or isolated tended to be where drones could offer a beneficial effect. Using drones was also associated with decreases in payload transit times (up to 76%) but increases in costs (up to 134%), raising a question regarding the true value of expedited delivery in a medical context.