Autonomous Multimodal Last-Mile Delivery Systems

Abstract

This dissertation explores the intersection of Last-Mile Delivery, Autonomous Vehicles, and Multimodal Transport, collectively referred to as Autonomous Multimodal Last-Mile Delivery. The research applies Operational Research techniques to assess the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles, such as drones and self-driving robots, in overcoming the challenges faced in last-mile delivery. The main objective is to explore how service providers can leverage multimodal delivery systems, integrating trucks, drones, and self-driving robots, to enhance efficiency.<br/><br/>This dissertation follows two main directions. The first involves designing delivery systems that address urban last-mile logistics challenges. This includes optimizing interactions between different vehicles and modeling these systems using Mixed-Integer Linear Programs (MILPs). The second direction is developing and analyzing optimization techniques tailored to solve the autonomous multimodal last-mile delivery problems introduced earlier. <br/><br/>Through this research, we provide valuable insights into the integration of autonomous vehicles in multimodal delivery systems, offering potential solutions for improving efficiency and addressing the complexities of last-mile delivery in urban environments.