Integrating rail transport with crowd logistics for sustainable urban freight: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose This study systematically examines the potential for integrating crowd logistics (CL) with rail transport to enhance the efficiency, sustainability and multimodal performance of first and last-mile urban freight operations. It synthesizes the conceptual and empirical foundations of this emerging research area, identifies dominant scholarly trends and highlights gaps that constrain practical implementation of Rail-CL systems. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Fifty peer-reviewed publications from 2009 to 2025 were selected from major academic databases and evaluated using the 2018 Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Extracted data covered study design, research aims, geographic scope, transport modes, technologies, sustainability outcomes, integration strategies and reported barriers. The evidence was synthesized using thematic and descriptive analysis. Findings The literature reveals a strong bias toward last-mile crowdshipping, with comparatively limited attention to first-mile operations and rail-based multimodal integration. Although environmental, economic and social benefits are frequently reported, most studies remain conceptual with limited real-world validation. Core challenges include regulatory uncertainty, inadequate rail-terminal infrastructure, coordination difficulties among stakeholders and persistent concerns regarding trust, liability and service reliability. Only a small number of studies propose integrated Rail and CL frameworks, confirming a substantial research gap. Originality/value This review offers the first comprehensive assessment of literature directly linking CL with rail freight transport. It establishes Rail and CL integration as an emerging research domain and outlines a forward-looking agenda focused on empirical testing, digital platform development and context-specific models particularly relevant for developing countries pursuing sustainable and resilient freight systems.