Traditional first- and last-mile solutions encompass walking, cycling, private vehicle use and shared mobility services such as taxis. However, emerging alternatives such as micromobility (e.g. e-scooters), ridesharing and on-demand public transport are increasingly gaining traction globally. In addition, experimental initiatives such as pilot programmes of autonomous vehicles are being explored worldwide, offering potential solutions to alleviate urban congestion.First- and last-mile delivery in goods/freight transport The term first-mile delivery refers to the start of the delivery portion of the supply chain and the last mile to the end of the supply chain. First-mile operations get products from the manufacturer via a courier to a carrier. Last-mile operations finish when the order is delivered to the customer.10 Typical logistic transportation journey FIGURE 2. Due to increased trends in online shopping and home deliveries, the number of delivery vehicles on city streets has grown significantly in recent years. Past studies have estimated that in the global top 100 cities, delivery vehicles may increase by 36% by 2030. Consequently, emissions from delivery traffic could increase by 32%, with congestion rising by over 21%, equalling an additional 11 minutes of commute time for each passenger on a daily basis.11 Approximately 70% of delivery companies claim that speed and estimated time of delivery (ETD) are the main challenges they face today while managing customer expectations.12 Urban freight has a disproportionately high impact on congestion and emissions due to the number and size of vehicles. Among the main barriers that prevent meeting speed and delivery time predictions are road congestion, and poor traffic routing strategies. The conventional form of freight deliveries, using high volumes of trucks and minivans, puts significant pressure on traffic congestion, as well as causing local air pollution, emissions and concerns around road safety. A range of solutions is being used to reduce the use of these large vehicles and alleviate congestion, with alternatives such as e-cargo bikes, small electric vehicles and delivery drones holding promise to replace these vehicles. Deploying these solutions, complemented by defined public policies and necessary infrastructure, will enable a more sustainable movement of goods, tackling traffic congestion and reducing the footprint of deliveries on city streets. The analysis approach This report aims to showcase innovative and unique solutions that are being deployed by cities to address congestion not solved by traditional first- and last-mile transportation solutions (i.e. walking, cycling, private vehicle use, shared mobility, shared delivery, warehousing, etc). The selection process for case studies followed the approach outlined below:OriginFirst mile DesitinationLast mile Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile Transport 6

Combatting Congestion 2025