A New Method of Center of Gravity using a Spatial Perspective

Abstract

Determining the logistic center (LC) point is an art in horticultural commodity logistics because it is perishable, has very high price fluctuations, and is not durable. This study proposes a new method to determine the most optimal logistic center point using a spatial perspective. We consider temporal congestion, risk hazard zones, and topography. The contribution of this research is that we modified the Center of Gravity (COG) method by adding a spatial perspective (Si). We still used the coordinates of each point (di) and capacity (W). We add the spatial perspective (Si) to the COG equation. This study showed that the new method provided a more reasonable solution compared to classical COG. The result showed that the efficiency of delivery time is 3.3 %. Sensitivity analysis shows that the delivery efficiency changes increase to 12.2% and decrease by 8.9% at the coordinate shift with the same radius. It means, using our proposed spatial COG method, there is a relatively good delivery time efficiency (3.3 %) compared to the classical COG method. Logistics actors will get delivery efficiency if they use this method. Shifting COG closer to Z1, then the efficiency will be better than shifting COG closer to Z2. It means that if conditions are not optimal, logistics actors can determine which LC point is closer to Z1. This study has succeeded in showing that spatial perspective is very influential in determining the location of LC based on delivery efficiency. For future research, this new method can help decision-makers in determining more optimal logistics distribution routes.