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Integrate Autonomous Delivery Vehicle into Sustainable Urban Logistics Planning and Optimization

Proposal Summary and Objectives

The ongoing urbanization presents a challenge both to enterprises who want to adapt to the change and delivery goods more efficient, also the policymakers who can positively impact urban logistics in terms of trade-off decisions on economic and environmental impact. Sustainable urban distribution system is one of the most recent trends, where hubs are augmented with smaller logistic centers in the city. Nowadays, different technologies and strategies regarding environmental problems appear, which aim to improve the urban logistics in general and the last mile delivery (for example, electric cars or cargo bicycles). Current projects suggest that air-based drones are good for rural and suburban areas for the last mile delivery, but not so ideal for urban centers, especially in dense areas, where ground and road-based robots will dominate. Autonomous delivery vehicles (ADV) are a new element of ground-based delivery services. They are a more practical solution in cities, which has the potential of last mile delivery to customers to reduce the urban road traffic and emissions. In this research we discuss the ADV combined with truck transportation regarding the urban sustainable freight delivery network. The primary objective of this study is to develop an urban logistics optimization modal in terms of minimizing the logistics operating cost and carbon emission using TADV from the point of authorities. Simultaneously, the best locations from a set of existing stations are selected for ADV positioning and optimal flow assignment. This research would provide decision support to government authorities, logistics service providers, and other relevant decision makers on sustainable urban logistics planning.

Funding Amount: $95,733
Status: Complete
Duration: Sep 1, 2019 - Jul 30, 2020