Analysis of Risks and Hidden Dangers in Last-Mile Delivery

Last-mile delivery refers to the final leg of the journey from a logistics hub or distribution center to the hands of consumers, and this stage holds a crucial position within modern logistics systems. However, due to its unique characteristics, last-mile delivery also faces numerous risks and potential hazards.

One of the biggest risks during the last-mile delivery process is the loss or damage of goods. According to an annual report released by a certain logistics company, last year's loss rate due to last-mile delivery reached five per thousand, while the damage rate was as high as eight per thousand. These figures indicate that despite logistics companies' efforts to improve delivery efficiency, safety issues in last-mile delivery still cannot be ignored. Especially in densely populated urban areas, couriers need to deal with complex traffic conditions and crowded crowds, which undoubtedly increases the risk of lost or damaged goods.

Another common problem is delivery delays. During peak periods, such as the Double Eleven shopping festival, a large number of orders flood in, putting immense pressure on the logistics network. It has been reported that during last year's Double Eleven period, an e-commerce platform's order volume exceeded one billion, presenting unprecedented challenges for last-mile delivery. Many consumers reported that they had not received their purchases days after placing their orders, severely affecting their shopping experience. Such delays not only impact consumer satisfaction but can also damage merchants' reputations.

Last-mile delivery also presents certain safety risks. Couriers may encounter various unexpected situations while performing their duties, such as traffic accidents or robberies. Statistics show that over the past year, there have been multiple incidents across the country where couriers were injured in traffic accidents, some of which were serious. These accidents not only endanger the lives of couriers but may also have negative impacts on social security.

To address these risks and hazards, major logistics enterprises are actively taking measures. For example, by introducing intelligent scheduling systems to optimize delivery routes, reducing delays caused by traffic congestion; strengthening employee training to enhance couriers' safety awareness and emergency response capabilities; and promoting the use of electronic labels and real-time tracking technologies to better monitor the status of goods, promptly identifying and resolving issues.

At the same time, efforts are being made to promote the improvement of relevant policies and regulations to ensure the healthy development of the logistics industry. For instance, a series of regulations regarding safety management in the courier industry have been issued, requiring companies to establish robust internal management systems and conduct regular safety inspections. Encouragement is also given to adopt eco-friendly packaging materials to reduce the production of plastic waste, thereby achieving sustainable development.

In conclusion, although last-mile delivery faces many risks and hazards, with technological advancements and efforts from all sectors of society, these issues are gradually being resolved. In the future, we have reason to believe that last-mile delivery will become more efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly, bringing more convenience to people's lives.