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Optimization and analysis of a robot-assisted last mile delivery system

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  • Simoni, Michele D.
  • Kutanoglu, Erhan
  • Claudel, Christian G.

Abstract

The last mile of freight distribution is a critical part of the supply chain because of its significant costs and customers’ increasing expectations from e-commerce and same-day delivery services. Automated technologies in freight transportation represent an opportunity to develop more efficient systems characterized by the integration of different and complementary modes. In this study, we focus on the possibility of implementing an integrated truck-robot system for the last-mile delivery. This typology of problem shares similarities with truck-drone problems, although robots are characterized by much slower speeds and can perform several consecutive deliveries. Based on these particular features, a heuristic that efficiently identifies solutions based on initial truck tours and corresponding joint robot operations is presented. This solution approach leverages a special version of the “Weighted Interval Scheduling Problem,” which allows for a very efficient Dynamic Programming solution. The developed solution approach is adopted to analyze the influence on efficiency of different features concerning the robot’s design and operation, and the surrounding environment. The results show that robot-assisted last-mile delivery systems are quite efficient if robots are employed in heavily congested areas and appropriately retrofitted to accommodate several compartments in the robot’s storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Simoni, Michele D. & Kutanoglu, Erhan & Claudel, Christian G., 2020. "Optimization and analysis of a robot-assisted last mile delivery system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:142:y:2020:i:c:s1366554520307006
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2020.102049
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    1. Boysen, Nils & Schwerdfeger, Stefan & Weidinger, Felix, 2018. "Scheduling last-mile deliveries with truck-based autonomous robots," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 126189, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
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    13. Demostenis Ramos Cassiano & Bruno Vieira Bertoncini & Leise Kelli de Oliveira, 2021. "A Conceptual Model Based on the Activity System and Transportation System for Sustainable Urban Freight Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.
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    15. Łukasz Sułkowski & Katarzyna Kolasińska-Morawska & Marta Brzozowska & Paweł Morawski & Tomasz Schroeder, 2022. "Last Mile Logistics Innovations in the Courier-Express-Parcel Sector Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, July.
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    17. Mashalah, Heider Al & Hassini, Elkafi & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Bhatt (Mishra), Deepa, 2022. "The impact of digital transformation on supply chains through e-commerce: Literature review and a conceptual framework," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
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