Efficient Transport Logistics, An Approach for Urban Freight Transport in Austria

TL;DR

This paper proposes a shared distribution hub approach for urban freight in Linz, Austria, using algorithms to optimize hub locations and routes, leading to fewer delivery vehicles and shorter distances, thus alleviating traffic congestion.

Contribution

It introduces a novel algorithmic framework for optimizing urban freight logistics through shared hubs and shortest path calculations in an Austrian city.

Findings

Reduction in the number of delivery vehicles

Decreased driving distances from hubs to customers

Improved driver return routes

Abstract

To alleviate traffic congestion that results from the growth of e-commerce we propose an approach in the city of Linz, Austria by relying on shared distribution centers from different companies. We develop two algorithms to find out the optimal location for the hubs and calculate the shortest path between locations. Results showed that in an urban environment, the implementation of hubs results in a reduction of the number of delivery vehicles. It reduces driving distances from hub to the customers, and also benefits the drivers that need to return home every day.