"From car containers to logistic service distribution centers": this is the vision of Laurence A. Bannerman, Secretary General of Aipark, the Italian Association of Parking and Mobility Operators. He explains that urban parking areas are often centrally located and well-served, where the growth of e-commerce has increased the demand for last-mile delivery. In these areas, delivery activities can be concentrated, thus reducing the number of commercial vehicles traveling within the city. Furthermore, "having a monitored and well-mapped delivery point can also mitigate the risk of theft or damage to goods and vehicles during transit or loading and unloading operations."
Presenting this proposal, Aipark showcased some data on urban logistics, indicating that "the last-mile delivery phase is responsible for 25% of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions in cities." According to the research, it is estimated that in Milan alone, three thousand couriers operate daily, primarily using vans (59%), but also box trucks (33%) and microvans (8%).