In this paper, a new methodology for the modelling and optimization of a two-echelon last mile freight transport system for urban areas is proposed. Last mile deliveries are managed by means of an UDC (Urban Distribution Centre) located on the border of the urban area. At the UDC, freight is consolidated on small load units, for example pallets or small swap bodies, that are loaded on train wagons. Freight is then transported by train to some places on the border of the city centre, namely cross-docking points, where it is transhipped to small electric vans that carry out the last mile distribution. This problem has been addressed as a two-echelon urban freight distribution system with fixed satellites, where the UDC plays the role of the depot and cross-docking points play the role of satellites. A micro simulator has been developed to represent the second by second activity of each vehicle, of each train, and of each load unit. The micro simulator represents: the last part of the delivery trips, from cross docking points to receivers, and also the part of delivery trip carried out by train and the transhipment operations at cross-docking points. The simulator embeds a genetic algorithm that optimizes the vehicle routes from cross docking points (satellites) to final receivers. The proposed transport system has been applied in simulation to Livorno, Italy.
Modelling and optimization of a two-echelon last mile urban freight distribution system
Lupi marino;Conte Daniele;Marconi Giada;Farina Alessandro
2024-01-01
Abstract
In this paper, a new methodology for the modelling and optimization of a two-echelon last mile freight transport system for urban areas is proposed. Last mile deliveries are managed by means of an UDC (Urban Distribution Centre) located on the border of the urban area. At the UDC, freight is consolidated on small load units, for example pallets or small swap bodies, that are loaded on train wagons. Freight is then transported by train to some places on the border of the city centre, namely cross-docking points, where it is transhipped to small electric vans that carry out the last mile distribution. This problem has been addressed as a two-echelon urban freight distribution system with fixed satellites, where the UDC plays the role of the depot and cross-docking points play the role of satellites. A micro simulator has been developed to represent the second by second activity of each vehicle, of each train, and of each load unit. The micro simulator represents: the last part of the delivery trips, from cross docking points to receivers, and also the part of delivery trip carried out by train and the transhipment operations at cross-docking points. The simulator embeds a genetic algorithm that optimizes the vehicle routes from cross docking points (satellites) to final receivers. The proposed transport system has been applied in simulation to Livorno, Italy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
