Toward Modular Equivalence: Mapping Last-Mile Encapsulation to the Physical Internet Container Ecosystem
Author(s)
Moradkhani, Nafe
Bouchery, Yann
Lebeau, Florian
Labarthe, Olivier
Klibi, Walid
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Abstract
The Physical Internet (PI) envisions logistics as an open, modular, and seamlessly connected system. However, last-mile delivery—particularly via cargo bikes—remains fragmented, with current encapsulation practices relying on ad hoc methods such as nonstandardized bags that are frequently reopened or redistributed at urban microhubs. This paper explores how these existing practices can be interpreted as early forms of PI encapsulation and how they might evolve toward modular equivalence with upstream container systems. Using real-world parcel-level data from urban delivery operations, we approximate a metric of encapsulation integrity to evaluate the consistency with which parcels remain grouped throughout their delivery path. Our findings reveal that several features already exhibit latent PI characteristics, such as modularity and partial traceability. We propose a conceptual framework to classify these practices as proto-PI encapsulation and explore their compatibility with higher-level logistics modes. This work offers a data-driven perspective on how last-mile systems can gradually align with PI principles without requiring immediate standardization or major infrastructure changes.
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Date
2025-06
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Text
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Proceedings
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