Enabling On-line Logistics Services Auction Platform (OLSAP): Optimal Eco-Routing Strategies

Project Objectives: The objective of the proposed research is to formulate and solve an online eco-routing problem that minimizes both travel time and fuel cost as a function of both vehicle speed and load distribution on the route. Project Abstract: The rapid advances in mobile and ubiquitous computing are opening opportunities to an envisioned On-line Logistics Service Auction Platform (OLSAP). Simply speaking, OLSAP is an e-bay like online auctioning system that allows shippers and carriers to match the demand and service dynamically anytime and anywhere through real-time online auction. The technical core of OLSAP is an eco-routing/re-routing tool, which evaluates potential orders for profitability during bidding and enables on-the-go cargo consolidation, i.e., integrating the new order(s) into the pre-scheduled pickups/deliveries, during re-routing. The proposed research will formulate and solve this online eco-routing problem that minimizes both travel time and fuel cost as a function of both vehicle speed and load distribution on the route. This research will make useful scientific contribution to the VRP literature. The product of this research, i.e., an eco-routing algorithm which enables on-the-go cargo consolidation service, provides the technical core for future goods delivery e-markets such as OLSAP. Task Descriptions: Task 1: Model Development: formulate and develop algorithms for alternative VRP models for eco-routing with on-the-go cargo consolidation problem. Task 2: Model Evaluation with Texas Commercial Vehicle Survey Data: construct: the models and algorithms developed in Task 1 will be tested/evaluated using various case studies constructed from the Texas Commercial Vehicle Survey data Task 3: Final report writing: preparation of final reports and deliverables, which include the tools developed in this project, as well as the case studies.