[pt] Nos últimos anos o comércio eletrônico tem se difundido na sociedade e a logística de entrega dos produtos é um dos pilares para que este mercado mantenha o nível de serviço alto e continue sendo vantajoso para o consumidor decidir por realizar a compra pela internet. O presente trabalho se destina a estudar sobre o problema de roteamento de veículos de entrega last-mile para e-commerce e aplicar a metaheurística Iterated Local Search (ILS) visando otimizar o roteamento do trecho last-mile de encomendas realizadas em uma empresa de comércio eletrônico brasileira. Com o objetivo de encontrar rotas de menor custo para as entregas a serem realizadas, este trabalho propõe uma extensão para o Vehcile Routing Problem With Occasional Drivers (VRPOD),considerando frota heterogênea e motoristas ocasionais realizando o transporte de mais de uma entrega. Para a aplicação do método foram utilizados dados fornecidos por uma empresa de e-commerce que foram devidamente anonimizados de forma a não ser possível identificar a empresa e nem os clientes, respeitando os princípios éticos. Foram utilizadas 121 instâncias, sendo a menor com um vértice e a maior com 344. Os resultados do modelo proposto são apresentados em dois cenários, primeiramente considerando que o roteamento é realizado sem a utilização de motoristas ocasionais. O segundo cenário considera a disponibilização de motoristas ocasionais para serem utilizados em algumas rotas. Ambos os cenários foram comparados com as rotas geradas pelo roteador existente hoje na companhia e os resultados preliminares indicam que o sem a utilização de motoristas ocasionais o ILS proposto obtém melhores soluções em 53.72 por cento das instâncias e quando os motoristas ocasionais são incorporados a rota ocorre melhoria em 76.03 por cento das instâncias utilizadas. A utilização de motoristas ocasionais também proporciona uma redução de 10.30 por cento no custo médio de roteamento. / [en] In recent years, e-commerce has become widespread in society, and the logistics of product delivery is a crucial pillar for this market to maintain a high level of service and remain advantageous for consumers choosing to make purchases online. The present work aims to study the problem of last-mile vehicle routing for e-commerce deliveries and apply an Iterated Local Search (ILS) metaheuristic to optimize the routing of parcels in a Brazilian e-commerce company. With the objective of finding routes with the lowest cost for the deliveries, this study proposes an extension to the Vehicle Routing Problem with Occasional Drivers (VRPOD), considering a heterogeneous fleet and occasional drivers handling multiple deliveries. For the methodology application, data provided by an e-commerce company are used, and they are properly anonymized to prevent the identification of the company and its clients, respecting ethical principles. A total of 121 instances are used, ranging from the smallest with one vertex to the largest with 344. The results of the proposed model are presented in two scenarios: firstly, considering routing without the use of occasional drivers, and secondly, considering the availability of occasional drivers for some routes. Both scenarios are compared with the routes generated by the current router used in the company, and preliminary results indicate that without the use of occasional drivers, the proposed ILS obtains better solutions in 53.72 percent of the instances, and when occasional drivers are incorporated into the route, improvements occur in 76.03 percent of the instances. The utilization of occasional drivers also provides a 10.30 percent reduction in the average routing cost.

Fler konsumenter väljer att handla på internet. Vare sig det handlar om bekvämlighet eller priser har denna ökning en påverkan på hur detaljhandel sköts och distribueras. Kundkraven ändras och konsumenten har mer att säga till om. Rapporten syftar till att beskriva hur en ökad e-handel har påverkat och fortsatt kommer att påverka distributionen av detaljhandelsvaror nationellt. Den beskriver även hur ökningen påverkar distributionsföretagen och hur dessa i sin tur valt att agera för att bemöta förändringen som sker på marknaden. Vad som påverkar distributionsbolagen mest kommer också att beröras och rapporten ger en bild av e-handelns påverkan på distributionsföretagen. De slutsatser som kunnat dras av rapporten är att de ökande volymerna av gods från e-handel i dagsläget inte påverkat företagen nämnvärt, men att förändringar förmodligen kommer att behöva ske inom vissa områden i framtiden. Ökningen av e-handelsgods har gett distributionsföretagen en högre volym att hantera. De ökade volymerna för även med sig ytterligare kostnader i den mest kostsamma delen av distributionen, the last mile, genom att det blir fler leveranser till konsumentens hem. På grund av denna ökade kostnad ser distributionsföretagen ett behov av att öka sina vinstmarginaler genom att erbjuda konsumenten olika tilläggstjänster. Ytterligare ser företagen att det har blivit förändringar i de krav konsumenterna ställer. Krav på leveransservice blir allt högre och pressen på distributionsföretagen att ha kvalitet i sin produktion ökar. I dagens läge konstateras att volymerna alltjämt är för låga för att motivera en omfattande affärsutveckling med dyra investeringar för att möta den nivå av ökning som hittills skett. Detta kommer förmodligen vara nödvändigt i framtiden om ökningen fortsätter i samma takt som nu. Att utöka kunskapen och arbeta mer aktivt för att främja leveransservice är därför någonting som i rapporten framkommer som viktigt inför framtidens utmaningar. / More consumers choose to shop online. Whether it is because of convenience or prices this increase has an impact on how retailing is managed and distributed. Customer demands change and the consumer has more power. This report aims to describe how an increase in e-commerce has affected and will continue to influence the distribution of retail goods nationally and how it affects the companies providing transportation of e-commerce goods. The report also discuss how the distribution companies act in response to these changes in the market and which areas that have been affected the most. The conclusions drawn from the report is that the increasing volume of goods from e-commerce have not currently affected the distribution companies significantly, however in the future changes are believed to be necessary in certain areas. The increase of e-commerce goods has contributed to a higher volume of goods for distribution companies to manage. These increased volumes bring additional costs to the most expensive part of the distribution, the last mile, by bringing more deliveries to the consumer’s home. Because of this increase in costs, the distribution companies need to increase their margins by offering consumers additional services. Additionally, the companies see a change in the customer demands. Customer demands on delivery service are increasing and the pressure on the distribution companies to have a high quality in their production increases. Today the volume is still too low to justify a heavy business development with costly investments to counter the increasing volume. These changes will probably be necessary in the future if the increase continues at the same rate. To increase the knowledge and evolve the delivery service is something that this report indicates to be important in the future.

Cargo cycles can play a considerable role in mitigating the negative impacts of urban freight transport while still ensure that the material needs of the city are fulfilled. Their small size, lower operating costs, smaller carbon footprint, lack of tailpipe emissions, and manoeuvrability in congested areas are considerable advantages over traditional urban freight vehicles. However, the advantages of cargo cycles are not inherent in every urban environment and under all conditions. This problematics is in general insufficiently researched and more context specific knowledge is needed. Thus, this study investigates the obstacles and facilitating factors for utilising cargo cycles in urban freight transport in Stockholm, Sweden. To investigate these context specifications, case study approach was employed and consisted of qualitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews, and observations. This study argues that in Stockholm, contradictory forces affect the utilisation of cargo cycles in urban freight transport. On one hand, the facilitating factors are mostly associated with measures of sustainable urban freight transport and sustainable development in general: reaction to traffic situation; strategic orientation of the city; public-private partnership; and bicycle infrastructure. On the other hand, path dependence of the city connected to traditional urban freight vehicles (vans) symbolises obstacles: the absence of direct planning for cargo cycles; lack of recognition; and inconsistency of bicycle infrastructure.

Os sistemas de comunicação óptica por espaço livre, comumente denominados sistemas FSO (Free Space Optics), servem para estabelecer enlaces de comunicação do tipo wireless, ponto-a-ponto, a uma elevada taxa de dados e com alcances que podem variar de algumas centenas de metros a alguns quilômetros. O interesse pela tecnologia FSO tem sido estimulado pela necessidade de se fornecer soluções complementares às tradicionais (e.g. fibra óptica e RF) visando a atender à crescente demanda por conexões de banda larga. Algumas de suas aplicações mais importantes são a conexão de redes locais de computadores, a conexão de estações rádio base de telefonia móvel às centrais e o acesso de última milha. Embora a tecnologia FSO venha sendo empregada em pequena escala no Brasil, vislumbra-se o potencial de maior aplicação desta tecnologia em um futuro próximo, razão pela qual se propõe este estudo, focado no projeto de sistemas FSO. A principal contribuição deste trabalho é demonstrar uma possível solução para a realização de um enlace óptico operando em espaço livre, destinado a conectar duas redes locais de computadores Ethernet Rápida (100 Mbps). As seguintes atividades foram desenvolvidas: estudo das questões mais relevantes pertinentes ao projeto de sistemas FSO; projeto, construção e caracterização eletro-óptica de circuitos; montagem e demonstração do funcionamento de uma versão de testes do sistema, realizadas em laboratório; estudo de características associadas à transferência de radiação óptica de transmissor para receptor, envolvendo o balanço de potência para estimativa do alcance do enlace, sob condições atmosféricas ideais. Como resultado, obtivemos um sistema de comunicação do tipo full-duplex, operando no comprimento de onda de 850 nm em formato de modulação OOK, a uma taxa de dados efetiva de 125 Mbps. Com base na experiência obtida, melhoras ao sistema são sugeridas no final do trabalho. / Free space optical communication systems (FSO systems) provide wireless, point-to-point communication links at high data rates, at maximum distances ranging from hundreds of meters to several kilometers. The growing interest in FSO technology arises from the necessity of providing complementary and alternative solutions to those already adopted (eg. fiber optics and RF), aiming to satisfy the increasing demand for broadband connections. Some of its most important applications are connecting local area networks (LANs), backhauling wireless networks and providing last mile access. Although today FSO is not widely adopted in Brazil, the technology has the potential for being adopted in a greater scale in the near future, which is the reason we propose a study focused on issues related to the design of FSO systems. This work\'s main contribution is to demonstrate a possible solution for the construction of a FSO system intended to connect two Fast Ethernet LANs (100 Mbps). For this purpose, the following activities were developed: study of the main aspects related to FSO system design; design, construction and electrooptical characterization of circuits; mounting and demonstration, in the lab, of a test version of the system; study of characteristics related to radiation transfer from transmitter to receiver, involving the use of the link power budget for an estimation of the maximum distance achievable under ideal atmospheric conditions. The result is a full-duplex communication system that employs the 850 nm wavelength in OOK modulation format, operating at an effective bit rate of 125 Mbps. Based on the knowledge achieved, improvements to the system are suggested at the end of this work.

[pt] Os sistemas de comunicações ópticas no espaço livre (Free Space Optics - FSO) tem sido desenvolvidos nos últimos anos no Brasil, contudo ha poucas referencias de estudos realizadas em território nacional. Neste tipo de sistema, um feixe de laser pode carregar informação de um ponto para outro através de uma distância curta (3-4 km), evitando-se o uso das fibras ópticas. Por tanto, FSO tornou-se uma alternativa rápida e muito econômica, principalmente nas áreas urbanas. Este trabalho apresenta um procedimento para a análise, modelamento, e um teste experimental do Free-Space Optics (FSO) é apresentado; sendo realizado dentro do perímetro urbano da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, em 2002. Inicialmente, as características do transmissor e do receptor foram consideradas. Adicionam-se três parâmetros: a perda atmosférica, a perda geométrica e a cintilação. Subseqüentemente, todas as perdas, incluindo outros parâmetros que tratam das perdas adicionais foram expressas em dB e inseridas em uma equação de balanço de potência. A disponibilidade do sistema de FSO é exibida, usando os dados de visibilidade de dois aeroportos, e conduzindo a uma predição sistemática da disponibilidade. Uma atenção especial é focalizada no parâmetro da taxa de erro de bits (BER), que está relacionada com a Recomendação ITU- T G.826. Dentro esta última recomendação, é possível realizar uma análise do FSO com relação à variação climática. A experiência abrangeu períodos curtos em que o Rio de Janeiro apresentou uma névoa forte da manhã. Mostra-se, finalmente, que FSO é uma tecnologia competitiva e confiável na transmissão, desde que seja usada de forma correta e apropriada. / [en] Very few works had been developed in Brazil, dealing with Free-Space Optics (FSO). In this arrangement, a laser beam carries information for a short range (up to 3-4 km), avoiding the use of optical fiber. FSO is a rapidly-improved solution and very economical, specifically in urban areas. In this work a FSO system operating in Rio is described. This work presents a procedure for the analysis, modeling, and a practical trial of a Free-Space Optics (FSO) system is presented. The procedure has been conducted in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro, in 2002. Firstly, the transmitter and receiver characteristics are considered. Next, three additional parameters are introduced: atmospheric loss, geometric loss and scintillation. In this last parameter, a few ways how scintillation might be expressed in dB and translated into a power balance equation, it presents. Other fixed parameters, dealing with additional losses, are subsequently inserted. The FSO system availability is exhibited, using airports visibility data, leading to a prediction of the systemic availability. Attention is then focused on the Bit Error Rate, BER, which relates with the Recommendation ITU- T G.826. Within this last Recommendation, it shows how to perform a FSO analysis with respect to the climatic variation. The experiment has encompassed some short periods in which this city presents a strong morning fog. It is finally shown that FSO is a competitive and reliable transmission technology, provided proper and correct use.

abstract: With high potential for automobiles to cause air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, there is concern that automobiles accessing or egressing public transportation may cause emissions similar to regular automobile use. Due to limited literature and research that evaluates and discusses environmental impacts from first and last mile portions of transit trips, there is a lack of understanding on this topic. This research aims to comprehensively evaluate the life cycle impacts of first and last mile trips on multimodal transit. A case study of transit and automobile travel in the greater Los Angeles region is evaluated by using a comprehensive life cycle assessment combined with regional household travel survey data to evaluate first-last mile trip impacts in multimodal transit focusing on automobile trips accessing or egressing transit. First and last mile automobile trips were found to increase total multimodal transit trip emissions by 2 to 12 times (most extreme cases were carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds). High amounts of coal-fired energy generation can cause electric propelled rail trips with automobile access or egress to have similar or more emissions (commonly greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide, and mono-nitrogen oxides) than competing automobile trips, however, most criteria air pollutants occur remotely. Methods to reduce first-last mile impacts depend on the characteristics of the transit systems and may include promoting first-last mile carpooling, adjusting station parking pricing and availability, and increased emphasis on walking and biking paths in areas with low access-egress trip distances. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil and Environmental Engineering 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the barriers for and their impact cooperation and coopetition for sustainable distribution of Municipality goods in three selected cities. Design/Methodology/Approach: This thesis is based on a qualitative approach using a multiple case study as data collection strategy. The population building up three cases consists of ten Swedish mid-sized cities with an urban consolidation center. Of these are the three cities Växjö, Kalmar and Borlänge sampled and both the municipality and two locally active freight forwarders (one RFP-winner and one non-RFP-winner) per city are interviewed. These interviews aimed at identifying barriers to cooperation between municipalities and freight forwarders and barriers to coopetition between private freight forwarders for a sustainable distribution of municipality goods. The secondary data is based upon three literature streams: Sustainability, Distribution in Urban Environments and, Cooperation and Coopetition. Findings: The results indicate that the main barriers to cooperation from a freight forwarder perspective are incorrect or missing data in the RFP, price for municipality goods distribution and prohibition of goods consolidation. The main barrier to cooperation, fossil fuel free trucks, is a potential future barrier. The main barriers to coopetition are higher costs, lack of trust and price. These barriers have mainly an impact on the economical sustainability but can, and in some cases, will have effects on the other TBL-aspects. Research Limitations/Implications: The findings of this thesis provide the municipality with knowledge about barriers from the perspective of the freight forwarders which can aid construction of future RFPs. It also provides both municipality and freight forwarders with knowledge of the potential future barriers which could affect ongoing cooperation. Lastly it provides involved actors with knowledge of barriers hindering a coopetition approach in distribution, enabling the next step of solving the barriers. The value of this thesis is the knowledge of the implications as well as the combination of the three chosen literature streams which have not been researched in this context previously

Os sistemas de comunicação óptica por espaço livre, comumente denominados sistemas FSO (Free Space Optics), servem para estabelecer enlaces de comunicação do tipo wireless, ponto-a-ponto, a uma elevada taxa de dados e com alcances que podem variar de algumas centenas de metros a alguns quilômetros. O interesse pela tecnologia FSO tem sido estimulado pela necessidade de se fornecer soluções complementares às tradicionais (e.g. fibra óptica e RF) visando a atender à crescente demanda por conexões de banda larga. Algumas de suas aplicações mais importantes são a conexão de redes locais de computadores, a conexão de estações rádio base de telefonia móvel às centrais e o acesso de última milha. Embora a tecnologia FSO venha sendo empregada em pequena escala no Brasil, vislumbra-se o potencial de maior aplicação desta tecnologia em um futuro próximo, razão pela qual se propõe este estudo, focado no projeto de sistemas FSO. A principal contribuição deste trabalho é demonstrar uma possível solução para a realização de um enlace óptico operando em espaço livre, destinado a conectar duas redes locais de computadores Ethernet Rápida (100 Mbps). As seguintes atividades foram desenvolvidas: estudo das questões mais relevantes pertinentes ao projeto de sistemas FSO; projeto, construção e caracterização eletro-óptica de circuitos; montagem e demonstração do funcionamento de uma versão de testes do sistema, realizadas em laboratório; estudo de características associadas à transferência de radiação óptica de transmissor para receptor, envolvendo o balanço de potência para estimativa do alcance do enlace, sob condições atmosféricas ideais. Como resultado, obtivemos um sistema de comunicação do tipo full-duplex, operando no comprimento de onda de 850 nm em formato de modulação OOK, a uma taxa de dados efetiva de 125 Mbps. Com base na experiência obtida, melhoras ao sistema são sugeridas no final do trabalho. / Free space optical communication systems (FSO systems) provide wireless, point-to-point communication links at high data rates, at maximum distances ranging from hundreds of meters to several kilometers. The growing interest in FSO technology arises from the necessity of providing complementary and alternative solutions to those already adopted (eg. fiber optics and RF), aiming to satisfy the increasing demand for broadband connections. Some of its most important applications are connecting local area networks (LANs), backhauling wireless networks and providing last mile access. Although today FSO is not widely adopted in Brazil, the technology has the potential for being adopted in a greater scale in the near future, which is the reason we propose a study focused on issues related to the design of FSO systems. This work\'s main contribution is to demonstrate a possible solution for the construction of a FSO system intended to connect two Fast Ethernet LANs (100 Mbps). For this purpose, the following activities were developed: study of the main aspects related to FSO system design; design, construction and electrooptical characterization of circuits; mounting and demonstration, in the lab, of a test version of the system; study of characteristics related to radiation transfer from transmitter to receiver, involving the use of the link power budget for an estimation of the maximum distance achievable under ideal atmospheric conditions. The result is a full-duplex communication system that employs the 850 nm wavelength in OOK modulation format, operating at an effective bit rate of 125 Mbps. Based on the knowledge achieved, improvements to the system are suggested at the end of this work.

This thesis deals with light utility vehicle design (class N1). Apart from designing vehicle’s appearance, other goals such as finding suitable usage of this electric vehicle type or adapting design to user’s needs and new technologies available were set. Usage of light e-van as a last mile delivery vehicle is proposed and following design process takes this purpose into account. Reasoning behind determining decisions is also given in this thesis. Final design stands out with original shaping, while possibilities of colour and graphics make it easily distinguishable among other vehicles. Design also suggests multiple changes in ergonomics of the vehicle, focused mainly on driver’s comfort and overall adaptation to selected vehicle’s use.

Title: Emergency Supply Chains during a pandemic - Stockpiles and Last-Mile distribution Rationale: Disasters come in many shapes and sizes in terms of its nature and its destructiveness. A commonality amongst disasters is that they all cause widespread damage and extensive human suffering. A recent event that has brought attention to pandemics is the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. With pandemic outbreaks being a statistical certainty according to WHO officials and historical references point to extensive damage caused by previous pandemics, proper emergency supply chain protocols are called for in order to secure the supply of vital resources. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how stockpiles and last-mile distribution has been applied within emergency supply chains in previous disasters. This in order to collect and process knowledge as to how emergency supply chains can be used within a pandemic outbreak. Objective: The objective of this study is to answer the following question:  “How can stockpiles and last-mile distribution within an emergency supply chain be used to order to increase the availability of vital resources during a pandemic outbreak?” Method: This study takes a qualitative approach with a hermeneutic standpoint. Combined with an inductive reasoning the study aims to serve the above stated purpose and objective. Scientific literature will be sampled and thoroughly examined to provide a theoretical basis for the empirical data that will be collected in latter stages of the study. The empirical data that will be collected is exclusively qualitative in nature and consists of field reports, new articles, statements and other form of publications. The theoretical and empirical data will then be analyzed in order to serve the purpose and achieve the study objective. Measures such as authenticity and good ethical practices have been taken in order to ensure study quality.  Conclusions: Valuable knowledge can be extrapolated from previous disasters that have practiced the use of emergency supply chains and preparedness based stockpiling. This knowledge can be applied to disasters of pandemic nature such as the novel coronavirus.  Keywords: Emergency supply chain (ESC), Preparedness, Response, Stockpile, Vital resources, Social important activities, Collaboration, Last-mile distribution (LMD).