Title: Distribution of small packages in metropolitan area by motorcycle courier services

Authors: I-Lin Wang

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Information Management, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., Tainan 701, Taiwan

Abstract: Small packages such as important documents, receipts and gifts are usually distributed in a short time window in a metropolitan area of congested traffic and limited parking spaces. While conventional four-wheel vehicles are not suitable for intra-city deliveries, motorcycles are perfect since they are more mobile. This paper tries to investigate business models suitable for distributing small packages in metropolitan area by analysing two courier networks: a point-to-point and a hub-and-spoke courier network. Pros and cons, as well as the simplified mathematical models for these two networks will be proposed and analysed to give more insights for this business.

Keywords: motorcycle couriers; metropolitan area; hub-and-spoke; point-to-point; PP; urban logistics; network design; small packages; courier services; courier networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2008.016070

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2008 Vol.4 No.1, pp.88 - 101

Published online: 05 Dec 2007 *

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