Operations Research 2025
Abstract Submission

2220. Capacitated dial-a-ride problem with drones

Invited abstract in session WE-1: Delivery problems, stream Mobility, Transportation, and Traffic.

Wednesday, 16:30-18:00
Room: Audimax

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Luisa Maier
FernUniversität in Hagen
2. Markus Hilbert
Operations Research, FernUniversität in Hagen
3. Andreas Kleine
Operations Research, FernUniversität in Hagen (University of Hagen)

Abstract

The importance of convenient and affordable transportation for people with disabilities has grown in recent years. At the same time, online orders and direct deliveries of medical products to customers have increased significantly. To address these challenges, we develop the Capacitated Dial-a-Ride Problem with Drones, CDARPD for short. In this new approach, the vehicles that transport the dial-a-ride customers from a desired starting point to a desired destination are equipped with drones. The drones independently deliver the medical products to the customers. After completing the deliveries, the drone flies back to the vehicle where its battery is swapped to make it completely operable again. Restrictions on the maximum battery capacity of the drones, maximum customer travel times and customer capacities are included. By integrating drone delivery in the dial-a-ride environment, we observe potential benefits in terms of reduced carbon emissions and lower costs. The strength of this novel approach is demonstrated by a computational study.

Keywords

Status: accepted


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