A hub-and-spoke architecture for a parcel delivery system using the cross-docking distribution strategy. Issue 9 (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arbabi, Hamidreza; Nasiri, Mohammad Mahdi; Bozorgi-Amiri, Ali
• Is Part Of: Engineering optimization. Volume 53:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1593
• Page End: 1612
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Multiple cross-docking -- multi-period cross-docking -- electric trucks -- hub-and-spoke architecture -- matheuristic algorithm; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Mathematical optimization -- Periodicals; 620.0042
• DOI: 10.1080/0305215X.2020.1808973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-215X

Abstract

Abstract : This article develops a hub-and-spoke architecture for a parcel delivery system using a network that includes a distribution centre and several cross-dock facilities. Several real-world assumptions, including an electric truck fleet, mobile charging station, third-party logistics, capacity constraints, last-mile deliveries and customer dissatisfaction, are incorporated in this problem. Besides, because of the high complexity of the problem, a novel matheuristic algorithm based on the combination of the fix-and-relax algorithm (FARA) and genetic algorithm (GA), namely Mb-FARGA, is developed to solve large-sized instances. A comprehensive computational analysis is accomplished to validate the proposed mathematical models and evaluate the performance of the Mb-FARGA method. According to the results, the Mb-FARGA method demonstrates a very favourable performance. Moreover, the results show that considering a distribution centre with appropriate capacity in the cross-docking system is an excellent strategy to enhance customer satisfaction, improve the system's performance and reduce capacity shortages.