An edge scanning method for the continuous deviation‐flow refueling station location problem on a general network

Abstract

This study addresses the continuous deviation-flow refueling station location problem on a general network. Instead of having a finite number of candidate locations, we consider any point in the network as a candidate location. In addition, vehicles are allowed to deviate from their prescribed (shortest) paths to refuel. At the beginning, we focus on the location of a single refueling facility, which is a relevant problem in the initial stages of development of a refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels in a transportation network. The objective is to maximize the traffic flow covered (in roundtrips per time unit). We propose an exact algorithm that determines the endpoints of all refueling segments on each edge of the network that cover the corresponding origin-destination flows. Then, the set with the best endpoints is shown to be optimal and can be used to determine the entire set of optimal locations. Network reduction rules and a network decomposition procedure are also discussed to reduce the size of the problem and improve the computational efficiency. Later, the entire set of endpoints is used in a set covering model to locate multiple refueling stations under the assumption that every vehicle only needs to refuel once on each way of the round trip. Moreover, we limit the allowed refueling deviation distance from the shortest path. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed methodology.

Directions for future research on urban mobility and city logistics

“…Particularly, advancements in information technology, vehicle autonomy and connectivity, vehicle electrification, payment methodologies, and clearing solutions have enabled creating new types of services and reshaping existing ones. Notable trending topics include: drones and autonomous ground vehicles [1,29,52,57,70,74,75], physical internet for parcel and cargo delivery [14,19,80], electric vehicles and micromobility [43,71], ride-sharing and ride hailing [44,68], crowd shipping and the gig economy [7,82,93], same-day delivery of goods and meals [32,86], collaborated transportation and brokering [30,40].…”

Preface: Special issue on the future of city logistics and urban mobility

“…Abbaas and Ventura [1] study the continuous deviation‐flow refueling station location problem on a general network that arises in the context of alternative fuels. They propose an exact algorithm that determines the endpoints of all refueling segments on each edge of the network that cover the corresponding origin‐destination flows.…”