Model and Hybrid Algorithm of Collaborative Distribution System with Multiple Drones and a Truck

Abstract

This paper studies a coordinated system for multidrone single-truck distribution, where a truck delivers goods to a group of customers along a closed ground path with the help of a number of drones. For each delivery, the truck departs from the distribution centre with drones and all goods needed and returns back to the centre after fulfilling the delivery tasks. That is, the truck assigns these delivery tasks to several of its drones, each of which is responsible for sending goods to a different subgroup of customers in the empty air space. This study provides a new mixed-integer programming model of the routing problem with this distribution system based on urban road network. Meanwhile, a hybrid genetic algorithm and a hybrid particle swarm algorithm are designed. Experimental results show that the performance of the hybrid algorithms is better than that of the corresponding basic algorithms.

Discrete Optimization on Truck‐Drone Collaborative Transportation System for Delivering Medical Resources

“…e main innovation point of this paper is to study the collaborative routing problem specifically for the topology structure of road network from a new perspective and propose models and new algorithms to solve the new problem. Our research is similar to the research in Lin et al [1], but our research is aimed at multi-UAV multitruck system, while the research in Lin et al [1] is aimed at multi-UAV single-truck system.…”

“…(20) and ω s,u,v , where β i,u,v , β * i,u,v , θ i,s,k , or ω s,u,v is a binary number which is 0 or 1, while α i ∈ [0, 1) and α * i ∈ [0, 1). e above objective and constraints are similar to those objectives and constraints in Lin et al [1], but our model is specifically for multiple UAVs and multiple trucks, while the model in Lin et al [1] is specifically for multiple UAVs and single truck, so the constraints involving multiple trucks are different from the constraints in Lin et al [1]. In the following, we only explain the constraints with large differences.…”

“…In the following, we only explain the constraints with large differences. For other constraints, please refer to Lin et al [1].…”

“…Currently, the optimization of collaborative transportation system, in which trucks and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) work together to complete the delivery task, has also been studied more and more. Lin et al studied the discrete routing optimization of multi-UAV single-truck system on road network and created mixed-integer models and hybrid algorithms [1]. Agatz et al established an integer programming to solve the travel salesman problem with UAVs [2].…”

Development of Heuristic Approaches for Last-Mile Delivery TSP with a Truck and Multiple Drones

“…In this case, the Clarke and Wright's savings algorithm is used sequentially with the genetic algorithm to enhance the performances. Other genetic-based routing and scheduling solutions can be found in [34][35][36]. In [35], a particle swarm algorithm solution is compared to an evolutionary-based solution, showing the superiority of the latter in finding solutions corresponding to a higher level of optimality.…”