Mobile Parcel Lockers in Rural Belgium: An Explanatory Study of Adoption Intentions and Feasibility

The expansion of e-commerce has intensified last-mile delivery pressures, particularly in rural areas where low population density undermines the viability of fixed parcel locker infrastructure. Mobile parcel lockers (MPLs), relocatable units serving multiple villages on rotating schedules, offer a promising alternative, yet empirical evidence on their rural acceptance remains scarce. This explanatory study investigates adoption intentions among 180 residents in a rural Belgian municipality, combining survey data with institutional feasibility assessment. Logistic regression analyses identified five significant predictors: proximity, availability during local events, environmental benefits, prior awareness, and perceived information gaps. Despite limited awareness (25%), 53% expressed willingness to adopt after receiving basic information. The vast majority of uncertain respondents provided conditional interest with specific requirements, suggesting informational rather than attitudinal barriers. Municipal authorities confirmed the feasibility of implementation, citing minimal administrative barriers and alignment with rural accessibility objectives. The findings suggest that MPLs deployment should emphasize strategic siting, event-based
scheduling, environmental messaging, and proactive information campaigns, with quantitative results triangulated against municipal assessments to validate MPLs viability in underserved rural areas.