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Original research
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LAST-MILE DELIVERY: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL INNOVATION AND PERFORMANCEPages 1-16
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied to last-mile delivery (LMD) to address routing, forecasting, and operational challenges, yet research on the topic remains fragmented. This study examines the current state of AI research in LMD, identifies key research topics, and proposes a future research agenda. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 523 publications retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, and the data were analysed using the Bibliometrix R package. The findings reveal rapid growth in research, particularly after 2021, and a shift from traditional optimisation and routing towards advanced AI-enabled delivery systems, with IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems as the most influential journal. Three dominant research areas emerged: AI-based routing and optimisation, autonomous and drone delivery, and predictive and data-driven delivery planning. However, stochastic modelling, urban planning, customer satisfaction, policy, and developing-country contexts remain underexplored. The study provides a structured understanding of AI's evolution in LMD and identifies priority areas for future research..
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, last mile delivery, bibliometric, review, route optimisation, autonomous delivery.
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Nicholas Omido, 
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