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But there's also an efficiency argument there. If technology now allows us to JIT distribute from a single store / warehouse across a larger area, isn't that b
by ethbr1 2y ago
But there's also an efficiency argument there.
If technology now allows us to JIT distribute from a single store / warehouse across a larger area, isn't that better?
Imho, the real problem with American suburban design is (a) the elimination of spaces where community organically happens (read: corner store) without replacement with something else (e.g. a park) & (b) the centralization of corporate power enabled by monopolies (e.g. Amazon logistics).
To (b), I'd much prefer if drone distribution centers like this were city-owned property, with the drone service provided by one or more drone operators, with adjacent warehouse space for any company that wanted to distribute.
- ghaff 2y agoWell, it's also possible that delivery drones at scale maybe just have an unavoidable noise pollution factor. Sure, roads do too but those are pretty much a given even in areas with density that supports good public transit--and maybe especially if--see e.g. Manhattan. (And it's not like trains don't cause noise pollution too.) Aside from the odd military helicopter from a nearby training area, I have pretty much zero audible air traffic at my house. I would very much object to large drones overhead on a regular basis.
- wongarsu 2y agoManhattan is pretty far on the other extreme. In the kind of medium density typical of European cities (dense rows of 3-6 story townhouses) you have enough density to support excellent public transit and multiple supermarkets in walking distance while having very moderate road noise outside of arterial roads. Delivery drones would absolutely increase noise pollution in such places
- ethbr1 2y agoIronically, there was some griping about the amount of tourist helicopter sightseeing traffic around Manhattan recently. E.g. https://council.nyc.gov/gale-brewer/helicopters/ https://council.nyc.gov/gale-brewer/helicopters/
- WeylandYutani 2y agoThat is true most streets are after all only used by the locals who live on that street. It is also quiet in the evening.
- pyrale 2y agoIt isn’t efficient when you factor in the cost of such small deliveries. Also having some form of slack in the system goes a very long way in making the system resilient, especially in a system where your provider’s interests are not aligned with yours.
- ethbr1 2y agoCost in terms of what? Electric drone delivery is likely more cost-effective (external-accounted) than any of the alternative solutions.