Non-Collaborative versus Collaborative Last-Mile Delivery in Urban Systems with Stochastic Demands

This paper proposes an approach based on mathematical modeling for tactical and operational decision-making in urban distribution of goods. Collaborative and non-collaborative scenarios are compared using real-data from the city of Bogota, Colombia. Both scenarios are modeled as capacitated vehicle routing problems (CVRP). Results highlight the quantitative benefits that can be achieved when collaborative logistics operations are implemented, represented in transportation costs reduction and service level increase when final demand is uncertain. Although these results might not be surprising, the contribution of this paper is centered in the fact that the impacts of collaboration in urban logistics have not yet been quantified and well understood. This work opens new directions for further research in this field. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.