Proceedings of ICLT 2023
ALGORITHM FOR OPTIMIZING TRUCK UTILIZATION USING RESIDUAL CAPACITIES
Daniel Zöttl; Christoph Ecker; Sebastian Lumetzberger; Sebastian Schlund
Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, Vienna, Austria; Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, Vienna, Austria; Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, Vienna, Austria; Fraunhofer Austria Research GmbH, Vienna, Austria
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2023, Helsinki, Finland, pp. 41-50
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Abstract
Purpose: Average truck utilization is only 50-55 percent based on distance travelled. Furthermore, 25 percent of current truck trips are empty runs. These facts lead to increased emissions, more traffic and a waste of time and financial resources. The aim of this paper is to develop an algorithm for logistics service providers to optimize truck capacity utilization and to increase supply chain resilience by identifying, visualizing, and optimizing routes with available residual capacity. Design/methodology/approach: The development is focused on a logic able to identify tours from a transport network, in which open transport orders can be integrated optimally. Available residual capacities in trucks are calculated based on master data, initial loaded and already delivered orders. Additionally, the distances between the stations of the initial tours and the pick-up/delivery point of the open transport order are calculated and integrated optimally into the existing tours to minimize the total distances travelled and maximize the truck utilization. Findings: The developed optimization algorithm creates transparency and resilience in supply chain networks by merging customer and freight forwarding data in real time. This results in an integrated route optimization that allocates residual capacities of currently executed truck transports with suitable open transport orders to avoid empty runs and increase truck utilization. Research limitations/implications (if applicable): Future research includes integrating real-time data sources into the algorithm to make prescriptive decisions. In addition, a suitable decision support system for truck dispatching is to be developed. Practical implications (if applicable): The algorithm is evaluated by applying it to the transport network of a freight forwarder. It is shown that a significant contribution to the optimization of truck utilization can be made. Originality/value: The novelty of this contribution is that the developed al
Keywords
residual capacities; truck utilization; optimization algorithm; forwarder
Citation
Daniel Zöttl; Christoph Ecker; Sebastian Lumetzberger; Sebastian Schlund (2023). ALGORITHM FOR OPTIMIZING TRUCK UTILIZATION USING RESIDUAL CAPACITIES. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2023), Helsinki, Finland, pp. 41-50.