Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery in Indian E-Commerce Using Real Time Geo-location Capture

Abstract

This study addresses the critical inefficiencies in last-mile delivery systems of Indian e-commerce platforms by implementing real-time geolocation capture technology. Despite the rapid growth of ecommerce in India, delivery agents frequently struggle with imprecise address information, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, resulting in significant time delays and reduced operational efficiency. While food delivery platforms successfully utilize real-time geolocation for precise navigation, e-commerce deliveries remain dependent on traditional text-based addressing systems. Through a mixed-methods approach including interviews with 42 delivery agents, time-motion analysis of 150 deliveries, and field testing of a prototype geolocation capture system across three cities, this research demonstrates that implementing geolocation based addressing can reduce delivery time by an average of 8.3 minutes per parcel. The prototype system integrates with existing e-commerce infrastructure to capture, store, and relay precise coordinates to delivery personnel, resulting in a 24% increase in daily delivery capacity. The findings suggest that widespread implementation of geolocation technology in e commerce could significantly improve operational efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and reduce costs associated with last-mile logistics in the Indian market.

Keywords:E-Commerce, Last-Mile Delivery, Geolocation Technology, Logistics Optimization, India