Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations
Synergetic transportation schemes are extensively used in package delivery operations, exploiting the best features of different modes. This paper proposes a methodology to solve the mode assignment and routing problem for the case of combined conventional vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle (CV–UAV...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/359 |
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| author | Konstantinos Kouretas Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou |
| author_facet | Konstantinos Kouretas Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou |
| author_sort | Konstantinos Kouretas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Synergetic transportation schemes are extensively used in package delivery operations, exploiting the best features of different modes. This paper proposes a methodology to solve the mode assignment and routing problem for the case of combined conventional vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle (CV–UAV) parcel deliveries under uncertainty for next-day operations. This research incorporates ground and air uncertainties: travel times are assumed for conventional vehicles, while UAV paths are affected by weather conditions and restricted flying zones. A nested genetic algorithm is initially used to solve the problem under fixed conditions. Then, a robust optimization approach is employed to propose the best solution that will perform well in a stochastic environment. The framework is applied to a case study of realistic urban–suburban size, and results are discussed. The entire platform is useful for strategic decisions on infrastructure and for operation planning with satisfactory performance and less risk. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-826a8b1ef55f4c1cbee03e9fca788e3c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-826a8b1ef55f4c1cbee03e9fca788e3c2025-08-20T03:14:33ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-05-019535910.3390/drones9050359Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery OperationsKonstantinos Kouretas0Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou1School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80 Athens, GreeceSchool of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80 Athens, GreeceSynergetic transportation schemes are extensively used in package delivery operations, exploiting the best features of different modes. This paper proposes a methodology to solve the mode assignment and routing problem for the case of combined conventional vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle (CV–UAV) parcel deliveries under uncertainty for next-day operations. This research incorporates ground and air uncertainties: travel times are assumed for conventional vehicles, while UAV paths are affected by weather conditions and restricted flying zones. A nested genetic algorithm is initially used to solve the problem under fixed conditions. Then, a robust optimization approach is employed to propose the best solution that will perform well in a stochastic environment. The framework is applied to a case study of realistic urban–suburban size, and results are discussed. The entire platform is useful for strategic decisions on infrastructure and for operation planning with satisfactory performance and less risk.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/359stochastic optimizationrobust optimizationvehicle routingelectromobilitysustainable transportationmultimodal transport |
| spellingShingle | Konstantinos Kouretas Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations Drones stochastic optimization robust optimization vehicle routing electromobility sustainable transportation multimodal transport |
| title | Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations |
| title_full | Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations |
| title_fullStr | Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations |
| title_short | Stochastic Planning of Synergetic Conventional Vehicle and UAV Delivery Operations |
| title_sort | stochastic planning of synergetic conventional vehicle and uav delivery operations |
| topic | stochastic optimization robust optimization vehicle routing electromobility sustainable transportation multimodal transport |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/359 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT konstantinoskouretas stochasticplanningofsynergeticconventionalvehicleanduavdeliveryoperations AT konstantinoskepaptsoglou stochasticplanningofsynergeticconventionalvehicleanduavdeliveryoperations |