The role of last-mile delivery professionals is becoming increasingly vital in modern urban logistics, driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and rising consumer expectations for fast and reliable services. This study aimed to analyse the decision-making patterns of last-mile delivery professionals through stated preference data. To achieve this, a stated-preference questionnaire was conducted with 333 riders aged 18–65 from Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Slovenia. A random parameter logit (RPL) model was applied to evaluate the influence of factors such as driving behaviour, delivery time and salary type on decision-making in hypothetical scenarios. Results showed that driving behaviour, trip duration and salary type significantly affected respondents’ preferences. Participants displayed a strong preference for flat salaries, indicating the importance of income stability over performance-based pay. Driving behaviour was also crucial, as respondents favoured legal and safe practices. Interestingly, while shorter delivery times were generally preferred, several scenarios revealed a tolerance for longer durations, possibly reflecting perceived benefits such as safer routes or reduced stress. Comparative analyses also revealed regional differences in vehicle use, work patterns and safety perceptions. The study highlights the need for tailored training programs on safety compliance, route optimization and time management, alongside hybrid salary structures balancing stability and productivity.
Pavlou et al. (2025) studied this question.