How load planning supports city logistics and micro-distribution centers

The dynamic growth of e-commerce and increasingly high customer expectations for delivery speeds are making last-mile logistics and micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) a key element of the modern supply chain.

In this model, 3D load planning applications are gaining particular importance, enabling transport companies and logistics operators to optimally utilize space in trailers, containers, pallets, and urban vehicles.

What are last-mile logistics and micro-distribution centers (MFCs)?
Last-mile (urban) logistics is the final stage of the delivery process - transporting shipments from a warehouse, distribution center, or micro-center to the end customer. This is particularly challenging in cities, as deliveries are made amidst high traffic volumes, limited parking and loading space, and growing customer expectations for speed and flexibility. An example is a courier delivering parcels using buses, electric vans, or cargo bikes in city centers.

Micro-distribution centers are small, often automated warehouses located close to customers, for example, within large cities. Their goal is to quickly pick and ship online orders, which shortens delivery times and reduces logistics costs. A good example is a local MFC in a city center, which handles e-commerce orders and supplies couriers delivering within a few kilometers.

The Challenges of Last Mile Logistics
Urban deliveries and order processing with MFCs differ from traditional full truckload transport. Companies must face challenges such as:

• higher shipment frequency - smaller batches of goods shipped several times a day,
• limited loading space - buses, electric vans, cargo bikes instead of full trailers,
• variety of shipments - parcels of varying sizes and weights,
• unloading order - the need to plan so that parcels for the first customers are easily accessible.

How do 3D load planning applications address these challenges?

1. Vehicle Space Optimization - 3D algorithms allow for efficient arrangement of parcels in buses, vans, and cargo bikes to maximize space utilization and reduce empty runs.

2. Automatic Parcel Grouping - The systems automatically group parcels according to routes and unloading order, accelerating the work of drivers and couriers.

3. Combining Different Transport Models - In the MFC hub & spoke model, applications support both loading planning for small vehicles and the arrangement of pallets and containers for long-haul transport.

4. Integration with MFC Systems - Modern tools integrate with inventory management systems, allowing for planning the distribution of parcels on a pallet or in a vehicle at the picking stage.

5. Flexibility and Speed - The automatic generation of loading plans allows for rapid adaptation to changing orders in urban logistics.

Practical Application Examples

• Courier bus - the algorithm arranges parcels according to delivery order.
• Electric van - space optimization allows for transporting more parcels within a limited vehicle range.
• Cargo bike - planning stable and safe shipment distribution in urban traffic.
• Container from MFC to distribution center - efficient pallet stacking for maximum space utilization and fast unloading.

Summary
Micro-distribution centers and last-mile logistics require modern solutions supporting 3D load planning.

Load space optimization applications ensure:

• better space utilization in trailers, containers, pallets, and urban vehicles,
• shortened delivery times,
• reduced costs and CO₂ emissions,
• improved end-customer experience.

In the era of e-commerce and MFC, intelligent load planning is becoming a key competitive advantage for logistics companies. In the Smartload app, users can define their own custom cargo units, such as cargo bike boxes, courier containers, bulk boxes, or small pallets. This makes the tool useful not only for trailer and container loading planning, but also for urban transport and last-mile deliveries. Furthermore, the system allows users to create custom loads (e.g., parcels, boxes, pallets) and add them directly to the 3D visualization. This allows for a realistic representation of the loading process, checking the stability of the arrangement, and full space optimization - regardless of whether it's a container, van, cargo bike, or a single courier container.

Also read: How to prepare data for the app - best practices for freight forwarders and warehouse workers.