Urban Joint Distribution Problem Optimization Model from a Low-Carbon Point of View

Lingjia Kong, Liting Cao (), Xiaoyan Zhang and Zhiguo Wu
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Lingjia Kong: College of Urban Rail Transportation and Logistics, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, China
Liting Cao: College of Urban Rail Transportation and Logistics, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, China
Xiaoyan Zhang: College of Urban Rail Transportation and Logistics, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, China
Zhiguo Wu: College of Urban Rail Transportation and Logistics, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-28

Abstract: As the carrier of small-piece logistics, urban joint distribution has frequent and complex operations, lacks systematic management and planning, and has large optimization space. Enterprises should bear the social responsibility of reducing carbon emissions in the logistics industry. Using Company M as an example, this article examines the urban joint distribution problem from a low-carbon point of view to reduce carbon emissions. By deriving the carbon emission formula, we obtain the crucial component for resolving the issue—the kilogram kilometers of distribution operation—and develop a mathematical model to minimize carbon emissions. The strategy of delayed delivery is used in distribution optimization to lower the no-load rate, and a scoring mechanism is presented to assist in determining the distribution time and location. In terms of route optimization, the problems of traditional ant colony algorithms that cannot consider distribution energy consumption, cannot deal with load limitations, and have slow iteration speeds are solved by using the introduction of minimum energy consumption, employing k-means clustering, and setting up elite ants, respectively. Finally, numerical simulations are implemented using C and Python, and the proposed optimization scheme demonstrates a 33.5% reduction in total carbon emissions compared to Company M’s original distribution model. It has been proven that the method proposed in this article has a certain effect on reducing carbon emissions from urban joint distribution.

Keywords: carbon emissions; joint distribution; delayed delivery; vehicle route optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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