Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation
Automated parcel lockers (APLs) are transforming urban last-mile delivery by reducing failed distributions, decoupling delivery from recipient availability, optimizing carrier routes, reducing carbon foot-print and mitigating traffic congestion. The paper investigates the optimal design of APLs syst...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/613 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849252087214374912 |
|---|---|
| author | Eugen Rosca Floriana Cristina Oprea Anamaria Ilie Stefan Burciu Florin Rusca |
| author_facet | Eugen Rosca Floriana Cristina Oprea Anamaria Ilie Stefan Burciu Florin Rusca |
| author_sort | Eugen Rosca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Automated parcel lockers (APLs) are transforming urban last-mile delivery by reducing failed distributions, decoupling delivery from recipient availability, optimizing carrier routes, reducing carbon foot-print and mitigating traffic congestion. The paper investigates the optimal design of APLs systems under stochastic demand and operational constraints, formulating the problem as a resource allocation optimization with service-level guarantees. We proposed a data-driven discrete-event simulation (DES) model implemented in ARENA to (i) determine optimal locker configurations that ensure customer satisfaction under stochastic parcel arrivals and dwell times, (ii) examine utilization patterns and spatial allocation to enhance system operational efficiency, and (iii) characterize inventory dynamics of undelivered parcels and evaluate system resilience. The results show that the configuration of locker types significantly influences the system’s ability to maintain high customers service levels. While flexibility in locker allocation helps manage excess demand in some configurations, it may also create resource competition among parcel types. The heterogeneity of locker utilization gradients underscores that optimal APLs configurations must balance locker units with their size-dependent functional interdependencies. The Dickey–Fuller GLS test further validates that postponed parcels exhibit stationary inventory dynamics, ensuring scalability for logistics operators. As a theoretical contribution, the paper demonstrates how DES combined with time-series econometrics can address APLs capacity planning in city logistics. For practitioners, the study provides a decision-support framework for locker sizing, emphasizing cost–service trade-offs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6aff3f016bb94b36bf6ee505e8b2163e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-6aff3f016bb94b36bf6ee505e8b2163e2025-08-20T03:56:45ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-07-0113761310.3390/systems13070613Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event SimulationEugen Rosca0Floriana Cristina Oprea1Anamaria Ilie2Stefan Burciu3Florin Rusca4Transport, Traffic and Logistics Department, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaTransport, Traffic and Logistics Department, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaTransport, Traffic and Logistics Department, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaTransport, Traffic and Logistics Department, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaTransport, Traffic and Logistics Department, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaAutomated parcel lockers (APLs) are transforming urban last-mile delivery by reducing failed distributions, decoupling delivery from recipient availability, optimizing carrier routes, reducing carbon foot-print and mitigating traffic congestion. The paper investigates the optimal design of APLs systems under stochastic demand and operational constraints, formulating the problem as a resource allocation optimization with service-level guarantees. We proposed a data-driven discrete-event simulation (DES) model implemented in ARENA to (i) determine optimal locker configurations that ensure customer satisfaction under stochastic parcel arrivals and dwell times, (ii) examine utilization patterns and spatial allocation to enhance system operational efficiency, and (iii) characterize inventory dynamics of undelivered parcels and evaluate system resilience. The results show that the configuration of locker types significantly influences the system’s ability to maintain high customers service levels. While flexibility in locker allocation helps manage excess demand in some configurations, it may also create resource competition among parcel types. The heterogeneity of locker utilization gradients underscores that optimal APLs configurations must balance locker units with their size-dependent functional interdependencies. The Dickey–Fuller GLS test further validates that postponed parcels exhibit stationary inventory dynamics, ensuring scalability for logistics operators. As a theoretical contribution, the paper demonstrates how DES combined with time-series econometrics can address APLs capacity planning in city logistics. For practitioners, the study provides a decision-support framework for locker sizing, emphasizing cost–service trade-offs.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/613automated parcel lockercity logisticslast-mile deliverybatch queueingcapacity optimizationlockers configuration |
| spellingShingle | Eugen Rosca Floriana Cristina Oprea Anamaria Ilie Stefan Burciu Florin Rusca Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation Systems automated parcel locker city logistics last-mile delivery batch queueing capacity optimization lockers configuration |
| title | Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation |
| title_full | Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation |
| title_fullStr | Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation |
| title_short | Automated Parcel Locker Configuration Using Discrete Event Simulation |
| title_sort | automated parcel locker configuration using discrete event simulation |
| topic | automated parcel locker city logistics last-mile delivery batch queueing capacity optimization lockers configuration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/7/613 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eugenrosca automatedparcellockerconfigurationusingdiscreteeventsimulation AT florianacristinaoprea automatedparcellockerconfigurationusingdiscreteeventsimulation AT anamariailie automatedparcellockerconfigurationusingdiscreteeventsimulation AT stefanburciu automatedparcellockerconfigurationusingdiscreteeventsimulation AT florinrusca automatedparcellockerconfigurationusingdiscreteeventsimulation |