Title: Assessment of the physical internet enabled urban logistics using agent-based simulation

Authors: Long Zheng; Pieter Beem; Ki-Hwan G. Bae

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA ' Mechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB, Enschede, the Netherlands ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Abstract: The physical internet (PI) is a new paradigm in logistics to aim for more efficiency and sustainability via the shared use of hubs and transports as well as the consolidation of shipments. This study investigates the potential of an open mobility web, designed on the principles of PI, in an urban area with e-commerce warehouses. Our motivation is to understand benefits gained by incorporating PI into existing logistics networks. To that aim, a multi-agent based simulation model is developed to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed solution approach in this modelling framework. Four transportation scenarios simulate a range of advancements from the traditional logistics to PI. The computational results using real data indicate that the PI-enabled mobility web outperforms the traditional logistics on most performance measures of time and cost. We conclude with implications for logistics stakeholders, and discuss limitations and extensions of this study.

Keywords: agent-based simulation; physical internet; urban logistics; interconnected transport logistics; freight transportation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2019.101793

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2019 Vol.33 No.4, pp.441 - 466

Received: 18 Jul 2017
Accepted: 04 Dec 2017
Published online: 27 Aug 2019 *

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