Underground Logistics Research Articles

Research on Location Optimization of Metro-Based Underground Logistics System With Voronoi Diagram

This paper develops a location optimization method about the metro-based underground logistics system (MULS) to transport freight by metro during off-peak periods. First, we make qualitative and quantitative feasibility analysis of the MULS through questionnaires and field surveys in metro stations. The analysis result shows that more than 85.22% of interviewees support logistics delivery by the metro. An improved $p$ -median model is developed, which considers four influencing factors. The shortest path algorithm is used to minimize the transport costs while the costs of the remaining factors are calculated using the collected data. Then, the Voronoi diagram is adopted to optimize the location of candidate metro stations and redraw the logistics service scope by adding weighted terms. Finally, the Nanjing metro is chosen as a case study to validate the effectiveness of the developed method. The optimization result shows the total cost of the logistics delivery is reduced by 33. 27% suggesting that the method can be used to reduce logistics costs and improve delivery efficiency in urban areas.

Planning connections between underground logistics system and container ports

In order to alleviate the traffic congestion inside the port cities caused by container transportation, the underground logistics system (ULS) is considered in this paper to solve the container transportation problem. By establishing port-convergence-station, the connection between the ULS and the port is realized. Specifically, the paper describes the internal layout and floor space of the port-convergence-station. Meanwhile, a robust optimization model is established to deal with the uncertainties of the carrying capacity of an ULS. Moreover, a case study based on Waigaoqiao Port Area to Logistics Park in Jiading is conducted to intuitively solve the robust optimization model to obtain the appropriate location of the port-convergence-station. And the effectiveness of establishing ULS and port-convergence-stations in the case is verified by simulation to illustrate the congestion problem in the container port area.

Mechanical Structure Design of Underground Logistics System Based on Passenger and Freight Transportation

Urban underground rail transit in China serves people, but at the same time, there is a problem of insufficient utilization of resources. To make more effective use of subway resources and alleviate traffic pressure, aiming at the problem of insufficient use of time and space resources in the process of Metro operation, this paper proposes a logistics system of underground railway based on the underground logistics system of passenger and freight co-transported. On this basis, the mechanical structure design of the system is carried out in the aspects of metro transportation and transformation of the Metro station. Firstly, the paper analyses the shortcomings in the current situation of Metro operation, discusses the underground logistics system of passenger and freight co-transportation, then focuses on the mechanical structure design of the system, and uses SolidWorks to simulate and analyze the mechanical structure to ensure the feasibility of the system and improve the utilization rate of Metro resources.

Dynamic Network Planning of Underground Logistics System on Uncertainty Graph

When designing the underground logistics system, it is necessary to consider the uncertainty of logistics nodes, high cost, and high risk. This paper employed the theories of uncertain graph and dynamic programming to solve the network planning problem of underground logistics system. Firstly, we proposed the concepts of uncertainty measure matrix and vertices structure uncertainty graph by using uncertainty measure and uncertainty graph. Secondly, vertices structure uncertainty graph of the underground logistics system was constructed based on our proposed vertices structure uncertainty graph and the uncertainty of logistics nodes. Thirdly, the dynamic programming model of the underground logistics system was established, and its solution algorithm was also designed by improving simulated annealing. Finally, the correctness and feasibility of the method was validated by using a numerical example of the underground logistics system in Xianlin district, Nanjing City in China.

A two-stage model for an urban underground container transportation plan problem

As a new transportation mode, underground logistics system can be used as one of the solutions to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution on urban roads. In this paper, an underground container transport system is designed to realize the road-underground-ocean container multimodal transport. This paper first analyzes the multi-stage decision-making content needed to design the underground container transportation system from the functional point of view of transporting a container. Then a two-phase model is built. The first stage is a 0–1 planning model with the lowest single-container cost to determine the planning layout and the second stage is to construct a simulation model under the current scenario to simulate the volume of transport containers within a specified time. Finally, a case study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of the method.

The Impact of Underground Logistics System on Urban Sustainable Development: A System Dynamics Approach

The lack of practical application and accurate benefit analysis, which are the prerequisites for each other, make it difficult to implement and promote the underground logistics system (ULS), although in theory people always recognize its advantages in sustainable improvement of urban transportation and logistics. This paper attempts to use the system dynamics (SD) method, based on the real-world simulation, to analyze the quantitative relationship between the implementation strategy of ULS and the sustainability of urban transportation and logistics to solve this problem. Beijing city, China, was selected as the empirical background. Four ULS implementation strategies were proposed according to the city’s potential investment in ULS and its demand for ULS network capacity. Meanwhile, four representative indicators were selected to evaluate the simulation results, including the average speed of the road networks in the peak hour, congestion loss, delivery travel time in the peak hour and the PM emissions of the truck. Good fitting index of historical data shows the validity of the model. Simulation results show that ULS, as a supplement to the urban integrated transport system, can significantly improve urban traffic and logistics. This study provides a perspective in the systematic and quantitative analysis of ULS to support the urban sustainable development.

Design and Optimization of Underground Logistics Transportation Networks

With the burden of city transportation system becoming bigger and bigger, it is imperative to develop reliable and efficient underground logistics. The appropriate location of cargo transshipment centers in underground logistics system is selected using the Set Covering Problem Model, Weighted Set Covering Problem Model, and the reasonable prediction of the freight volume data of major cities to ensure the maximum numbers of service nodes are covered by the least transshipment centers within a reasonable range. The timing of the construction of facilities in the system is proposed, considering the construction cost and cost recovery period of the underground logistics system. The design and optimization plan of the urban underground logistics system, based on the above, is given to achieve the purpose of relieving urban traffic congestion and increasing freight volume.

ИМИТАЦИОННАЯ МОДЕЛЬ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ РУДНИКОВ

ИМИТАЦИОННАЯ МОДЕЛЬ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ РУДНИКОВ

ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ И ТРЕБОВАНИЯ К ИМИТАЦИОННОЙ МОДЕЛИ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ РУДНИКОВ

ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ОГРАНИЧЕНИЯ И ТРЕБОВАНИЯ К ИМИТАЦИОННОЙ МОДЕЛИ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНЫХ РУДНИКОВ

МОДЕЛИРУЕМЫЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ СИСТЕМЫ ИМИТАЦИОННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНОГО РУДНИКА

МОДЕЛИРУЕМЫЕ ПРОЦЕССЫ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ СИСТЕМЫ ИМИТАЦИОННОГО МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЯ ЛОГИСТИЧЕСКОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДЗЕМНОГО РУДНИКА

Application of Hierarchical Facility Location-Routing Problem with Optimization of an Underground Logistic System: A Case Study in China

Facility location problem (FLP) and vehicle routing problem (VRP) are two of the most challenging issues in logistics. This paper presents an exploration of the multinode facility location-routing problem with realistic conditions. The disposal centers, transfer stations, connected collection sites, and unconnected collection sites are built into a new hierarchical model which is solved by Generate Algorithm (GA). Model costs include node construction cost, pipeline construction cost, transport cost, and transfer cost. This paper considers that the transportation is a bidirectional flow not a single flow; each pairs node in the area needs transportation; the dynamic routing selection method is used to determine the routes of unconnected collection sites. FLP and VRP can be both solved in this model. To illustrate the applicability of the model, a case study is presented and the results are discussed. The model in this paper can reduce the cost of the traditional underground logistics system by 6%~8% in experiments.

Network Planning Method for Capacitated Metro‐Based Underground Logistics System

Underground logistics system (ULS) tends to alleviate traffic congestion, increase city logistics efficiency, mitigate the negative effects of traditional logistics processes, and improve the sustainability of urban areas. However, the relatively high cost and risk of underground construction are serious obstacles to implementing ULS. Integrating ULS into modern metro system (M‐ULS) is considered to be feasible and efficient to solve this problem. This paper aims at developing a metro system‐based ULS network planning method. First, an evaluation model of underground freight volume was proposed considering service capacity, freight flow, and regional accessibility. Second, a set of mixed integer programming model was developed to solve the problem of optimal nodes’ location‐allocation (LAP) in the network. Then, a hybrid algorithm was designed with a combination of E‐TOPSIS, exact algorithm, and heuristic algorithm. Finally, two lines of Nanjing Metro were selected as a case to validate the proposed planning method. The results showed that the new system can significantly reduce the construction costs of ULS and alleviate traffic congestion. Moreover, the potential of metro stations and underground tunnels can be fully exploited to achieve higher logistics benefits.

Urban underground logistics system in China: Opportunities or challenges?

An urban underground logistics system (ULS) is one important means of solving urban traffic problems that has unique advantages. Freight transportation in China requires a new transportation mode. Therefore, ULS has garnered increasing attention. However, to date, few scholars and practitioners have investigated ULS in China. Although ULS shows good development opportunities, it also faces great challenges. Based on the Macro-environment and situation analysis (PEST-SWOT) model, which is a strategic analysis method that combines both SWOT and PEST to effectively identify advantages, disadvantages, opportunities and threats, this paper first uses PEST to analyze the macro-environment of ULS in China and identify its internal factors (i.e., advantages and disadvantages) and external factors (i.e., opportunities and threats). Next, based on the SWOT framework, this paper proposes several development strategies and recommendations that provide a comprehensive and novel perspective to the study of ULS in China.

Counter Unit Selection Decision Method of Underground Logistics System of Inland City Based on ANP and Fuzzy TOPSIS

Counter Unit Selection Decision Method of Underground Logistics System of Inland City Based on ANP and Fuzzy TOPSIS

The Risk Analysis and Evaluation of Urban Underground Logistics System Development Based on the Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process

Urban underground logistics system is a newly emerging concept, and there is no molded sample project to provide reference information. So there exists much uncertainty in its development, and such uncertainty will have some impact on overall development of the system. In this paper, gray analytic hierarchy process analysis will be used to evaluate the risk factors in the development of urban underground logistics system. And then, we use the empirical analysis to quantify the risk of the development of urban underground logistics and provide references for the development of urban underground logistics system.

Function Area Layout Method of Underground Distribution Center

Function area layout of underground distribution center is an important part of urban underground distribution center planning so that it would indirectly affect the building and development of underground distribution center and even the whole urban underground logistics system. Based on Automod simulation platform, the function area layout planning method was built in order to avoid underground operation invalidation because of the illogical function area layout. First by analyzing relative operation of underground distribution center, multi-objective 0-1 mixed integer programming model of function area layout was built based on two indexes of relativity and transit cost among function areas. Then the heuristic algorithm or exact algorithm was used to solve the mathematical model mathematical model and find out the layout scheme after quantifying the indicators. Finally the final layout was gained by simulation and optimization of Automod simulation platform. There was an example for proving the feasibility of the method. The results showed that the method was available to analyze the function area layout impact and it was very important for decision-making of building the underground distribution center.

Underground Logistics Systems: A Way to Cope with Growing Internal Container Traffic in the Port of Antwerp?

During the last decade, container traffic was the driving force behind the growth in cargo handling in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. Between 1995 and 2005 container traffic almost tripled, enabling Antwerp to increase its market share in the Hamburg-Le Havre range. Moreover, various recent studies indicate that container traffic will continue to grow strongly in the years to come. In order to be able to respond to these growth perspectives and to safeguard the future position of the port of Antwerp as a container mainport, a new tidal container dock has been built on the left bank of the river Scheldt, the so-called Deurganckdock. This dock will lead to large flows of internal port container traffic between both river banks. As the traditional hinterland transport modes offer insufficient capacity to accommodate the increasing number of containers in the long-term, it seems worthwhile to consider the idea of constructing a dedicated underground logistics system (ULS) to transfer containers between both river banks. This paper presents a first analysis of different variants of such a ULS.

Simulation of underground freight transport systems

Underground logistics distribution systems seem to be a sustainable solution for environmental, congestion and space problems. In Holland many underground projects spring up like mushrooms, starting a definition phase to test the feasibility of the first underground designs. In order to gain a structured insight into the logistic dependencies, this paper defines three modelling levels of control: at vehicle level (micro), in order to control the traffic movements of the vehicles at handling areas and tubes; at transport order level (meso), in order to control the transport orders, the assignment of shipments and vehicles, and the empty vehicle stock management; and at interconnection level (macro), in order to achieve good connectivity with the schedules of the external transportation modalities.