An algorithm for flexible transshipments with perfect synchronization

Sven F. Falkenberg, Stefan Spinler and Arne K. Strauss

European Journal of Operational Research, 2024, vol. 315, issue 3, 913-925

Abstract: Direct and instant deliveries have gained popularity among customers, but have also increased the burden on cities due to rising transport incidents, especially as delivery vehicles often drive empty when returning to their origin. Flexible transshipments with perfect synchronization would allow loads to be transshiped between these vehicles without the need for storage facilities. This may increase their average proximity to their origin and reduce the proportion of empty rides. We present a problem-specific algorithm with three sub-steps to solve this concept. The first evaluates the relational position between two deliveries and, based on 36 structured cases, decides which pairs to exclude from the solution space. The second formulates the optimization problem to find the best transshipment location while considering time-limit constraints and transfer times. Finally, we apply the request-pair combination problem to graph theory to determine the lowest overall travel time. In our paper, we consider a continuous problem definition which allows flexible transshipments, and assume unit-sized capacity per vehicle and a maximum of one transshipment per request.

Keywords: Transportation; Algorithm; Flexible transfers; Synchronization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:315:y:2024:i:3:p:913-925

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2023.12.003

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