Understanding the benefits and limitations of occupancy information systems for couriers

Couriers undertaking deliveries in Central Business Districts (CBDs) often have difficulty conducting efficient routes due to the uncertainty associated with the availability of loading zones. Delivery routes for courier vehicles operating in central city areas involve a combination of driving and walking paths for delivering goods to multiple receivers. Sensor technologies are becoming available that can provide real time information regarding the availability and occupancy of loading zones. Utilization of occupancy information can reduce transport costs for couriers as well as emissions and congestion levels within CBDs. Booking systems allow loading zones to be reserved for delivery vehicles. This paper describes an agent-based simulation model combined with optimization procedures developed to predict the behavior of courier drivers in CBDs. The model, which allows couriers routes to be optimized based on minimizing both driving and walking costs, was applied to study the effects for introducing a loading zone occupancy information as well as estimate the potential limitations compared to a reservation system. The consequences of permitting waiting at loading zones as well as duration limits are predicted. Lower driving times were estimated when real time availability and average occupancy information of loading zones were provided when no waiting was permitted. This was found to be more pronounced when there were no duration limits at loading zones. However, when waiting at loading zones was permitted, only marginal driving time savings were predicted when real time availability and average occupancy information were provided. Despite that, compared to the case when an ideal reservation system was employed for couriers to conduct the best possible delivery plan, the information systems still had opportunities for further enhancements in driving times in periods of high demand, although only marginal savings in driving times could be made when waiting at loading zones was allowed.