A Drone Delivery Problem Arising in the Meal Delivery based on VNS Algorithm
Jie Deng, Yandong He, Benhe Gao, Pan Liu · 2024
The use of drones for delivering various logistics products, including urban express services and food takeout, has emerged as a promising trend. This study explores the optimal strategy for organizing item deliveries in meal delivery logistics and assesses the effectiveness of a comprehensive drone distribution plan throughout the process. In the first stage, the locations of randomly selected distribution facilities are determined. In the second stage, a Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) algorithm is employed to optimize these locations. The comparison of the VNS with a standard algorithm and a solver highlights the advantages of the VNS method in terms of efficiency and accuracy. This evaluation seeks to provide a more effective calculation approach for real-world logistics challenges, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of drone delivery systems in practical applications. By demonstrating improved performance metrics, such as reduced delivery times and optimized resource allocation, this study aims to facilitate the broader adoption of drone technology in the logistics industry, paving the way for more innovative solutions.