Mobile parcel lockers with individual customer service

The ongoing growth of e-commerce deliveries has led to a significant increase in last-mile delivery volumes. New technologies are being investigated provide these efficiently and customer-friendly manner. A common practice is use fixed parcel lockers (FPLs) make independent from the presence customer as case attended home (AHDs). FPLs usually installed at key locations cities, customers can collect their package any time once it been delivered this particular location. Mobile (MPLs) represent new idea: they be parked for temporary collection items different locations, keeping pickup distance short avoiding high infrastructure costs. However, need parcels within restricted window. This service supposed become especially efficient through autonomously operating vehicles that move MPLs low In article, we introduce heterogeneous locker location problem study effects fleets combining two services—FPLs, MPLs, AHDs—within one framework. our comparison, consider may have expectations regarding maximum well temporal flexibility accepting deliveries. fleet applied maximize number served, respecting individual preferences terms distances windows. We evaluate services managerial insights on quality efficiency. experiments, analyze impact structural demand differences sizes, operational utilization experience. Results show potential served by about 14%–19% while considering preferences.