Transshipment networks for last-mile delivery in congested urban areas

This work develops a systemic approach for enabling transshipment operations in congested urban areas, based on two fundamental city logistics needs: efficient utilization of existing infrastructure and flexibility for logistics operators. Specifically, this research introduces the concept of urban transshipment networks (UTNs), a collection of strategically located urban logistics spaces, for efficient and flexible last-mile delivery operations in congested urban areas. By implementing the UTN framework, logistics operators can select the transshipment locations, vehicle types and operating schedules that best fit specific distribution strategies, and, simultaneously, comply with access restrictions and overcome some of the logistics complexity of dense urban zones. This concept is particularly relevant for retail dynamics observed in large metropolitan areas in the emerging world. A two-echelon location-routing model formulation is proposed to address the UTN design problem. The formulation combines a mixed-integer programing model with a closed-form routing cost approximation. The model was tested through a consumer goods distribution case study in Latin America. Results suggest that, given proper fleet type and capacity, UTNs can significantly improve delivery process efficiency in highly congested districts.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Merchán Dueñas, Daniel Esteban

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Edgar E. Blanco.

• Engineering Systems Division.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98637

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/98637