A GIS-MCDM framework for the smart parcel locker site suitability analysis and optimizing urban last-mile delivery

Abstract

The surge in e-commerce has intensified the need for efficient urban last-mile delivery, with smart parcel lockers emerging as a sustainable solution. However, their optimal placement remains challenging due to spatial heterogeneity and decision uncertainty. This research proposes a five-stage methodology integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) to strategically site parcel lockers. The approach combines expert-driven criteria selection via Delphi method, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) for criteria weighting while managing inherent judgmental ambiguity, GIS-based suitability mapping, and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for ranking candidate sites. A case study in Pardubice, Czech Republic, validated the framework, recommending 50 new parcel locker sites. Sensitivity analysis highlighted road network accessibility, public transport proximity, and population density as critical criteria. By combining spatial analysis with structured decision-making, this study offers a reliable, transferable framework for optimizing parcel locker placement, enhancing last-mile delivery efficiency, and supporting sustainable urban logistics globally.