Optimizing the ground intra-city express delivery network: An integrated multiple centrality assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, and multi-objective integer programming model

Optimization of an intra-city express delivery network from three to two levels is of great interest to suppliers and customers for reducing costs and improving service efficiency. One feasible solution is to identify critical nodes in the three-level network and upgrade them as transshipment facili...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of intelligent transportation systems Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 525 - 543
Main Authors: Liu, Chuang, Zhou, Jianjun, Gan, Junwei, Wu, Yuexin, Huang, Yulong, Shao, Jiahao, Ouyang, Lingyi
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 03.07.2024
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Cities
Decision making
Fuzzy TOPSIS
ground intra-city express delivery network
Integer programming
multi-objective integer programming
multiple centrality assessment
Multiple criteria decision making
Multiple criterion
Multiple objective analysis
Operations management
Optimization
Optimization models
Statistical methods
ISSN:1547-2450, 1547-2442
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Optimization of an intra-city express delivery network from three to two levels is of great interest to suppliers and customers for reducing costs and improving service efficiency. One feasible solution is to identify critical nodes in the three-level network and upgrade them as transshipment facilities in the two-level one. However, traditional optimization models seldom combine empirical business data, composite metrics, and objective evaluation rules. We proposed an approach integrating empirical data, multi-criteria decision-making methods based on the real-world application of the SF Express Chengdu branch. We also developed a mathematical optimization model using statistical and operations management techniques combined with logistics expertise for a location decision. First, the appropriateness of each service point as a candidate transshipment facility is evaluated from internal and external perspectives by applying multiple centrality assessment from complex network theory and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution, respectively. Second, 16 candidate transshipment facilities are selected by combining these two ways. Then, a multi-objective integer programming model is built to obtain the optimal number, locations of transshipment facilities, and the corresponding service points covered by each transshipment facility. Using this multi-methodologic approach, we show that the optimized two-level network is economically feasible and simply applicable, with the total cost and average delivery time reduced by 18.41% and 6 h, respectively. This article is of practical significance and provides an important reference for optimizing ground express service networks for other large cities.
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ISSN:1547-2450
1547-2442
DOI:10.1080/15472450.2022.2157211