Parcel delivery becomes more efficient and accurate

Parcel delivery becomes more efficient and accurate

06/03/2025 - 08:44

Consumers frequently complain about parcel and grocery deliveries, particularly about the number of delivery vans in residential areas. However, the real issue often lies in driving behaviour and parking rather than the sheer number of vehicles. According to Hans Quak, Professor Smart Cities & Logistics at Breda University of Applied Sciences, delivery rounds by companies like PostNL and DHL are already so optimised that further efficiency gains are minimal. In grocery delivery, however, there are differences. For example, Picnic uses limited delivery time slots and achieves a higher drop density, making their service more efficient compared to Albert Heijn, which delivers at times chosen by the customer.
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PostNL still sees opportunities for improvement. The company is centralising its planning process and has introduced fixed teams per depot. This approach aims to retain expertise, use planning tools more effectively, and better respond to differences in delivery patterns during the week and the growing shift towards pick-up points and parcel lockers. Although much of the planning is still manual, automation and experience help optimise delivery routes.

Driving behaviour remains a visible concern in neighbourhoods, especially when couriers park hastily or drive too fast. Time pressure is a major factor. Potential solutions, such as dedicated drop-off zones or additional delivery charges, are challenging to implement. PostNL addresses this by providing training, analysing complaints, and discussing issues directly with drivers or delivery partners.

Parcel lockers offer a promising solution. While home delivery is still the norm in the Netherlands, in countries like Poland, over 80% of deliveries are made to lockers. Their popularity is growing here too, partly driven by webshops like Wehkamp that make locker deliveries free while charging extra for home delivery. PostNL is expanding its network to 1,600 lockers, reducing street traffic and enabling more efficient, sustainable operations.

Accurate planning is also crucial. Picnic operates with tight 20-minute time slots, aided by detailed customer data. PostNL uses dynamic time slots that narrow as the delivery moment approaches, resulting in more successful deliveries. Familiarity with local areas, gained by assigning couriers to fixed routes, plays a key role. PostNL is also testing the use of delivery tips for complex addresses to support new drivers.

Cities like Utrecht are now developing car-free residential areas such as Merwede, featuring central logistics hubs and parcel walls. These developments introduce new demands on urban logistics. While parcel delivery can be adapted, grocery delivery remains more complex. Some online supermarkets currently exclude addresses that are inaccessible by van. In France, pick-up points at supermarkets are common and could serve as a model. Quak suggests standardising secure parcel lockers in homes, just like letterboxes. PostNL is working with municipalities to explore delivery solutions for low-traffic zones, including cycle logistics and shared parcel lockers.

Conclusion:
Parcel delivery is becoming more efficient through improved planning, increased automation, wider use of parcel lockers, and more precise time slots. The focus of logistics is shifting from efficiency to liveability in residential areas, requiring close cooperation with local authorities and innovative solutions.

Source: Bestelauto.nl