E-commerce is in a growing phase where consumers are getting more aware, picky and comfortable when it comes to delivery of their packages. This case study investigates the requirements that consumers have regarding last-mile deliveries as well as various digital logistic solutions that may meet these requirements. In the study, relevant people in three different companies working with delivery, have been selected to get a deeper insight into how companies view consumers' new requirements and how they work to meet these and how they reflect about the future when it comes to last-mile deliveries. Consumers now expect a faster and more flexible service where they can design the last-mile delivery according to their premises, e.g. time, location,  etc. The demands emerging associated with the expansion of e-commerce include faster, cheaper and more flexible deliveries. Transparency in environmental issues and work processes has also become an important factor for many consumers today, which may be decisive for purchasing power. Collaboration with other actors enables e-commerce companies to streamline their delivery alternatives in the form of outsourcing. This approach can be done through collaboration with other logistics players or in the form of crowdsourcing. The term E-logistics implies a system that contains various parts of a logistic process in which the exchange takes place with both the help of technology and the internet. In combination with a functioning digital infrastructure and e-logistics, delivery processes can become more effective. New technologies such as parcel locks, drones and delivery robots are being analyzed as potential solutions to streamline last-mile deliveries. / E-handeln befinner sig i en växande fas där konsumenterna är allt mer medvetna, kräsna ochbekväma. Denna fallstudie undersöker de krav som konsumenter har kring sista-milen leveransersamt olika digitala logistiklösningar som kan komma att möta dessa krav. I studien har ävenrelevanta personer, i tre olika organisationer som arbetar med leverans, valts ut för att få en djupareinblick på hur företag ser på konsumenters nya krav. Studien undersöker hur de arbetar för attmöta dessa samt hur det ser på framtiden när det kommer till sista mil-leveranser. Konsumenternaförväntar sig nu mer flexibla och snabba leveranser där de själva får utforma sista mil-leveranserefter deras premisser. Kraven som växt fram i takt med den växande e-handeln är bland annatsnabbare, billigare och mer flexibla leveranser. Transparens inom miljöfrågor och arbetsprocesserhar även blivit en viktig faktor för många konsumenterna idag som kan komma att bli avgörandeför konsumentens köpvillighet. Samarbete med andra aktörer möjliggör för e-handelsföretag atteffektivisera sina leveransalternativ i form av outsourcing. Tillvägagångssättet kan ske genomsamarbete med andra logistikaktörer eller i form av privatpersoner, crowdsourcing. E-logistik ärdet system som innehåller olika delar i en logistikprocess där utbytet sker med hjälp av teknik ochinternet. I kombination av en fungerande digital infrastruktur och e-logistik så kanleveransprocesser effektiviseras. Ny teknik som paketlås, drönare och leveransrobot analyserassom potentiella leveransmedel för att effektivisera sista mil-leveranser.

No description available.

No description available.

Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS) is a fairly recent yet popular single-solution heuristic for solving discrete optimization problems. Even though the heuristic has been a popular choice for researchers in recent times, the parallelization of this algorithm is not widely studied in the literature compared to the other classical metaheuristics. To extend the existing literature, this study proposes several different parallel schemes to parallelize the basic/sequential ALNS algorithm. More specifically, seven different parallel schemes are employed to target different characteristics of the ALNS algorithm and the capability of the local computers. The schemes of this study are implemented in a master-slave architecture to manage and assign loads in processors of the local computers. The overall goal is to simultaneously explore different areas of the search space in an attempt to escape the local minima, taking effective steps toward the optimal solution and, to the end, accelerating the convergence of the ALNS algorithm. The performance of the schemes is tested by solving a capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) with available wellknown test instances. Our computational results indicate that all the parallel schemes are capable of providing a competitive optimality gap in solving CVRP within our investigated test instances. However, the parallel scheme (scheme 1), which runs the ALNS algorithm independently within different slave processors (e.g., without sharing any information with other slave processors) until the synchronization occurs only when one of the processors meets its predefined termination criteria and reports the solution to the master processor, provides the best running time with solving the instances approximately 10.5 times faster than the basic/sequential ALNS algorithm. These findings are applied in a real-life fulfillment process using mixed-mode delivery with trucks and drones. Complex but optimized routes are generated in a short time that is applicable to perform last-mile delivery to customers.

The prevalence of online shopping has steadily risen in the last few years. In response to these changes, last-mile delivery services have emerged that enable goods to reach customers within a shorter timeframe compared to traditional logistics providers. However, with decreased lead times follows greater exposure to risks that directly influence customer satisfaction. More specifically, this report aims to investigate the extent to which Supervised and Automatic Machine Learning can be leveraged to extract those features that have the highest explanatory power dictating customer ratings. The implementation suggests that Random Forest Classifier outperforms both Multi-Layer Perceptron and Support Vector Machine in predicting customer ratings on a highly imbalanced version of the dataset, while AutoML soars when the dataset is subject to undersampling. Using Permutation Feature Importance and Shapley Additive Explanations, it was further concluded that whether the delivery is on time, whether the delivery is executed within the stated time window, and whether the delivery is executed during the morning, afternoon, or evening, are paramount drivers of customer ratings. / Förekomsten av online-shopping har kraftigt ökat de senaste åren. I kölvattnet av dessa förändringar har flertalet sista-milen företag etablerats som möjliggör för paket att nå kunder inom en kortare tidsperiod jämfört med traditionella logistikföretag. Däremot, med minskade ledtider följer större exponering mot risker som direkt påverkar kundernas upplevelse av sista-milen tjänsten. Givet detta syftar denna rapport till att undersöka huruvida övervakad och automtisk maskininlärning kan användas för att extrahera de parametrar som har störst påverkan på kundnöjdhet. Implementationen visar att slumpmässiga beslutsträd överträffar både neurala nätverk och stödvektorsmaskiner i syfte att förutspå kundnöjdhet på en obalanserad version av träningsdatan, medan automatisk maskininlärning överträffar övriga modeller på en balanserad version. Genom användning av metoderna Permutation Feature Importance och Shapley Additive Explanations, framgick att huruvida paketet är försenad, huruvida paketet levereras inom det angivet tidsfönster, och huruvida paketet anländer under morgonen, eftermiddagen, eller kvällen, har störst påverkan på kundnöjdhet.

E-handel har de senaste åren ständigt ökat vilket har bidragit till ökande krav på hållbaratransporter vilket medverkat till forskning av alternativ till traditionella transportföretag.Crowdshipping är ett koncept där det med hjälp av teknologiska applikationer kan utnyttjaindividers resurser för att skapa transportnätverk inom urbana områden. Användandet avindivider som redan är på väg till en plats och tar med ett paket i farten kan innebära mindrefordon på vägarna. I denna studie samlade vi in empirisk data genom att skicka ut en enkät till olika facebook-grupper bestående av studenter i Sverige och utförde två fokusgrupper med totalt åtta deltagare. Syftet med enkäten och fokusgrupperna var att undersöka respondenternasinställning och uppfattade hinder/möjligheter till crowdshipping. Med kunskap samlat utifrånvetenskapliga artiklar kunde ett teoretiskt ramverk etableras. Genom att studerat väsentligafaktorer till crowdshipping (tillit och säkerhet, miljö och hållbarhet, tid ochkompensation/prissättning) kunde vi analysera vårt empiriska material. Analysen byggs uppefter de teoretiska faktorerna som har inverkan på crowdshipping. Det visade sig attrespondenterna hade bekymmer med flertal säkerhetsaspekter inom CS-initiativ sompåverkade deras inställning negativt. Dock ansåg många respondenter initiativet som positivtifall det gick att säkerställa miljömässiga fördelar och flertalet säkerhetsaspektertillhandahölls. / E-commerce has steadily increased in recent years, which has contributed to increaseddemands for sustainable transport, which contributes to research into alternatives totraditional transport companies. Crowdshipping is a concept where, with the help oftechnological applications, it can utilize individuals' resources to create transport networks inurban areas. The use of individuals who are already on their way to a place and taking apackage on the go can mean fewer vehicles on the roads. In this study, we collected empirical data by sending out a questionnaire to various Facebookgroups consisting of students in Sweden and conducted two focus groups with a total of eightparticipants. The purpose of the survey and focus groups was to examine the respondents'attitudes and perceived obstacles/opportunities for crowdshipping. With knowledge gatheredbased on scientific articles, a theoretical framework could be established. By studyingsignificant factors for crowdshipping (trust and security, environment and sustainability, timeand compensation/pricing), we were able to analyze our empirical material. The analysis isbased on the theoretical factors that have an impact on crowdshipping. It turned out that therespondents had concerns with several security aspects within CS initiatives that had anegative effect on their attitude. However, many respondents considered the initiative to bepositive if it was possible to ensure environmental benefits and most safety aspects wereprovided.

The adoption of electric vehicles in the transportation industry has increased significantly in recent years, driven by international and national environmental goals. However, this shift poses challenges for transportation companies as they adjust their fleets to accommodate electric vehicles. The range of electrified transport, which is shorter than conventional transport due to current battery technology, is influenced by various factors such as temperature, air density, topography, available charging infrastructure, loading weight, and other climate-related aspects. Electric vehicles also depend on a functional and accessible charging infrastructure, which is currently considered underdeveloped and inadequate given the growing number of electric vehicles. In addition to this, other important aspects are energy mapping, investment analysis and risk management. This study focuses on enhancing Nordic Routings route optimization system by identifying key parameters that improve route efficiency and optimization. To address the challenges of electrification and its impact on route optimization systems, this study presents a comprehensive analysis comparing conventional and electrified transport within a routing problem. The results showed that factors such as temperature, topography, loading weight, driver behavior and available charging infrastructure significantly impact range and range anxiety. These factors were analyzed through various scenarios based on scientific literature, interviews and modeling in Nordic Routings route optimization system. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of meticulous pre-planning, investment analysis, route planning adjustments and accompanying risk management, summarized in a four-step model. This study also points out recommendations that are provided for managing temperature, weather condition, energy mapping, dynamic planning of charging, integrating live data on charging infrastructure and consideration of topology and loading weight. Implementation of these recommended actions within the route optimization system is essential to facilitate efficient routing for electrified transport, while also considering the current state of battery technology and charging infrastructure. / Elektrifieringen inom transportbranschen har ökat markant senaste åren till följd av internationella och nationella målsättningar för att minska den negativa miljöpåverkan. Den ökade elektrifieringen av transporter innebär dock skillnader i användning, planering och investering jämfört med konventionell transport, vilket medför en omställning för transportföretag som byter ut delar av eller hela fordonsflottan mot elektrifierade alternativ. Räckvidden för elektrifierad transport, som är kortare än konventionell transport på grund av nuvarande batteriteknik, varierar kraftigt av faktorer som temperatur- och väderförhållanden, topografi, tillgänglig laddningsinfrastruktur, lastvikt och andra fordons- eller klimatkopplade aspekter. Fortsättningsvis är elektrifierade fordon beroende av en fungerande och tillgänglig laddningsinfrastruktur, som i dagsläget anses vara underutvecklad och bristfällig utifrån den växande andelen elektrifierade fordon. Utöver detta återfinns andra faktorer som energikartläggning, investeringsanalys och riskhantering som är viktiga aspekter i planeringen av elektrifieringen. Studien som riktades mot Nordic Routings ruttoptimeringssystem utgjorde grunden för att identifiera nyckelparametrar som vidare kan implementeras och utvecklas i deras ruttoptimeringssystem. För att adressera problematiken kring elektrifieringen och hur elektrifierade transporter påverkas i ruttoptimeringssystem, presenterar denna studie en djupgående analys där konventionell och elektrifierad transport jämförs i ett ruttplaneringsproblem. Resultaten visade att faktorer som temperaturer, topologi, lastvikt, förarbeteende och tillgänglig laddningsinfrastruktur har en betydande påverkan på räckvidd och räckviddsångest. Dessa faktorer analyserades utifrån flera scenarier baserat på vetenskaplig litereratur, intervjuer och modellering i Nordic Routing ruttoptimeringssystem. Vidare belyser studien vikten av noggrann förplanering, investeringsanalys, anpassning av ruttplaneringen och den tillhörande riskhanteringen, vilket sammanfattas i en fyrstegsmodell. Slutligen presenterar studien rekommenderade åtgärder såsom hantering av temperatur- och väderförhållanden, energikartläggning och direktuppkopplade data mot laddningsinfrastrukturen, dynamisk planering av laddningsstationer samt beaktande av topologi och lastvikt. Dessa rekommenderade åtgärder behöver implementeras i ruttoptimeringssystemet för att möjliggöra effektiv ruttoptimering med elektrifierad transport, med hänsyn till dagens batteriteknik och laddningsinfrastruktur.

The aim of the study was to explore the fundamental operational risks, mitigation strategies and the key performance indicators (KPIs) in last-mile delivery (LMD) of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers. Particularly, the research was guided by the following research questions.  RQ1: What operational risks are related to LMD of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers? RQ2: How do African and Asian retailers mitigate these operational risks?  RQ3: What KPIs can be used to ensure the efficiency of LMD of perishable goods?

<p>The rise of technologies and the Internet have provided opportunities to connect logistics demand and supply using the crowd. In this system, named crowd-shipping (CS), a requester doing the shipping selects a courier via a platform. In reality, the idea of CS has been explored by many firms over the last several years. However, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of the issues related to: (1) the markets that are likely to be influenced by CS; (2) the considerations that govern the success of this system; and the (3) the impacts of CS and its design.</p><p><br></p> <p>To address these issues, there is a need of understanding CS system's stakeholders, such as requesters' (i.e. senders') and potential couriers' (i.e. driver-partners') behaviors as well as operations and management of CS firms. This research will address these gaps by conducting a survey to understand driver-partners' behaviors and requesters' behaviors given the CS services availability in the logistics market. Then, pricing and compensation strategies are designed and modeled based on behavior rules of supply and demand generations as well as various CS market penetrations. As such, this research addresses the CS industry in a triad of supply, demand, and operations and management.</p><p><br></p> <p>This research uses advanced econometrics, statistics analysis, mixed integer optimization, and data science techniques to analyze data and generate insights. The contributions of this research are to identify the contributing factors that impact the emerging logistics service. This research also reveals factors that influence the current and future shipping behaviors of requesters, as well as influencing factors of the individuals' willingness to work as driver-partners. The integrated matching and routing models have been developed to examine different pricing and compensation strategies under several market penetration scenarios. `Individual' price and compensation have found to provide the highest profit for CS platform providers.</p><p><br></p> <p>This research provides meaningful knowledge for stakeholders, especially for the CS firms to develop business strategies. Several remarkable benefits that CS firms can obtain include: focusing on some specific population groups to recruit driver-partners (e.g. people with children, middle-aged people having lower incomes, or no car ownership); addressing certain market segments to promote CS services (e.g. tight-window delivery packages, peripheral products, or personal health and medicine items); implementing `individual' or `flatted' pricing and compensation strategies depending on the time of the day, the day of the week, or the market penetration; and improving platform features to incorporate requesters' and driver-partners' expectations.</p>

We have conducted a study that is intended to investigate and understand how logistics companies in city logistics handle increased e-commerce challenges and describe what actions they take. To be able to do that, two question formulations have been formulated that goes: “What challenges, caused by an increased e-commerce, exist for logistics companies within city logistics?” and “What are logistics companies doing to address the challenges that exist and that are caused by increased e-commerce?”. Further is the theoretical frame of references presented where challenges and innovations for logistics companies in city logistics is a central point. We have used a qualitative approach, where semi-structured interviews have been used to get the essential information to be able to analyze towards our theoretical frame of references. Headliners that are found in the theoretical frame of references reappear in both the empirical material and the analysis to get a common thread throughout the study. In the analysis, we have our question formulations as headliners to really analyze challenges and innovations. Our study has contributed to an increased understanding of how logistics companies handle an increased e-commerce challenge and describe what actions they take. We have noted that the increased e-commerce has led to challenges for logistics companies in city logistics. We concluded that e-commerce has become more complex with shorter lead time, more but smaller packages and higher demands from consumers have been added, which is considered a challenge for logistics companies. The study shows the main challenges that increased e-commerce brought. The study also shows various innovations and actions by logistics companies within city logistics. / Vi har gjort en studie som är ämnad att undersöka och förstå hur logistikföretag inom citylogistik hanterar ökade e-handelsutmaningar samt beskriva åtgärder de vidtar. För att kunna göra det har vi utgått från två frågeställningar som lyder: “Vilka utmaningar, orsakade av ökad e-handel, finns för logistikföretag inom citylogistik?” och “Vad görlogistikföretag inom citylogistik för att hantera de utmaningar som finns och som är orsakade av ökad e-handel?” Vidare presenteras det teoretiska referensram där utmaningar och innovationer för logistikföretag inom citylogistik är en central del. Vi har använt oss utav ett kvalitativt angreppssätt där vi har genomfört semistrukturerade intervjuer för att få den väsentliga informationen för att kunna analysera gentemot vår teoretiska referensram. Rubriker som finns i den teoretiska referensramen återkommer i både det empiriska materialet och analysen för att få en röd tråd genom hela studien. I analysen har vi däremot våra frågeställningar som huvudrubriker för att verkligen analysera utmaningarna och innovationerna. Vår studie har bidragit med en ökad förståelse hur logistikföretag inom citylogistik hanterar ökad e-handelsutmaningar samt vilka åtgärder de vidtar. Vi har konstaterat att den ökade e-handeln har medfört utmaningar för logistikföretag inom citylogistik. E-handelslogiken har blivit mer komplex på senaste tiden där korta ledtider, fler men mindre paket och högre krav från konsumenterna har tillkommit vilket anses som utmaningar för logistikföretagen. Studien visar på de huvudsakliga utmaningarna som ökad e-handel medfört. Studien visar även på olika innovationer och åtgärder som används av logistikföretag inom citylogistik.