Design and analysis of city logistics systems in Toronto for a Canadian express package delivery company

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Cost effective and efficient package and goods delivery in urban areas is an essential business service that contributes directly to the competitiveness of Toronto-based firms. This efficiency is compromised in urban centres like Toronto because of urban congestion, a lack of commercial vehicle parking, inadequate loading facilities, and roadway geometric design. The objective of this project is to identify and evaluate alternative "city logistics" applications in downtown Toronto, and recommend a preferred alternative for Purolator to test in a pilot study in 2017. This research will develop operations research models in combination with a transportation model of downtown Toronto to evaluate city logistics options that are relevant to the Purolator Inc. business model. Scenarios will be developed including city logistics concepts applied in other jurisdictions/companies, and alterations of those to suit the context of Purolator Inc. in Toronto. Example concepts to be considered include: expansion of the use of the footpath network (the PATH system) for parcel delivery, parcel lockers, mobile consolidation/distribution centres, use of alternative fuel vehicles / bicycles. Purolator Inc. will select one concept for potential pilot project in Toronto and the University of Toronto research team will prepare a detailed plan with associated costs.