Enabling same-day delivery using a drone resupply model with transshipment points

Abstract

Abstract We study a hybrid logistics delivery model which incorporates trucks and drones. In this model, named the Drone Resupply Model with Transshipment Points (DRMTP), drones are used to resupply transshipment points where trucks visit to pick up packages for delivery to customers. A simulation model is developed to simulate the delivery operations. The model is evaluated in two case studies in an urban area and a suburban area in Massachusetts, USA. Using this resupply model, the average delivery time is reduced compared to the conventional truck-only delivery model. The experimental results in the suburban region show that the DRMTP model with one transshipment point achieves 36% lower delivery time compared to the truck-only model. In the urban region, the model with four transshipment points obtains 66% delivery time reduction compared to the truck-only model. The results indicate that the proposed model can be used to enhance the efficiency of the last-mile delivery operations.