Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
Department
Civil Engineering
First Advisor
Kate K. Hyun
Second Advisor
Stephen P. Mattingly
Third Advisor
Nelson R. Gomez-Torres
Fourth Advisor
Yuan Zhou
Abstract
The increasing popularity of online shopping leads to more last-mile deliveries and higher emissions from last-mile delivery trucks. This dissertation presents a quantitative analysis that employs a comprehensive methodology to assess the health impact of fine particulate matter from last-mile delivery trucks and the benefits of their electrification. It uses a three-tiered modeling approach, incorporating emissions measurement, exposure level evaluation, and health impact assessment. In addition, this dissertation shows the changes in health impacts at the various levels of the fleet electrification rate using a case study in Dallas County, Texas. The results indicate that higher fine particulate matters are concentrated near or on the major roadways and transportation facilities. The result shows the relationships between last-mile delivery emissions and socio-economic variables and found that younger, racial minorities and low-income communities are exposed to higher last-mile emissions due to the proximity of their residences to major truck corridors. The qualitative analysis synthesizes technological and operational advancements, such as electric vehicle deployment, route efficiency improvements, and facility-based solutions, offers a comprehensive spatial and temporal perspective and identifies opportunities for future sustainable last-mile delivery strategies.
Keywords
Last-mile Delivery, Trucks, Fleet Electrification, PM2.5 Emissions, Health Impacts
Disciplines
Transportation Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Choi, Jaesik, "LAST-MILE FLEET ELECTRIFICATION AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPACTS" (2025). Civil Engineering Dissertations. 512.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/civilengineering_dissertations/512