Cyber Monday once again netted record-breaking online sales. E-commerce retailers slashed prices, and more shoppers than ever avoided the usual bedlam of brick-and-mortar stores — opting instead to shop online.
The delays show that delivery networks such as UPS, which are critical components of the e-commerce boom, are still struggling to cope with the busiest shopping periods despite heavy investment to build out and automate their operations and capacity.
UPS is testing a depot-to-door delivery system in central London. The Low Impact City Logistics project will reduce traffic congestion and emissions associated with urban package delivery by using a power-assisted delivery trailer. If successful, it could change the way packages are delivered in cities in the U.K.
Dubai-based ground handler dnata, and a consortium of supply chain firms, has successfully completed a proof-of-concept test for a logistics platform that tracks supply chain transactions using hyper-secure blockchain technology. According to stakeholders in the project, the new system can eliminate redundant data and improve visibility and transparency.
Interstate-95 is busier than any other freeway and among the longest. It runs through some of the country’s biggest cities and costs billions of dollars a year to maintain.