NSF/USDOT: Agent-based Coordination in Public Logistics Networks

公共物流网络被提出作为提供快速、灵活和低成本的包裹运输的手段。类似于用于销售航空公司座位的动态定价，卡车上每个可用空间和配送中心(DC)的存储空间的价格可以针对每个单独的项目进行实时谈判。第三方可以在网络上搜索运输中的任何类型的物品，协商购买物品，然后将其重定向到新的目的地。与私营物流网络相比，由于网络的每个要素都有可能获得网络的所有需求，因此在履行每一项物流功能时可以实现规模经济。小城市和小城镇将有可能获得目前仅在大城市提供的同样的低成本包裹递送服务，而且现场库存储存的需要将减少，因为成品和安全库存将是流动的，只有在需要时才能改变路线。拟议的研究将侧重于制定实现公共物流网络所需的信息基础设施的规范，以及该规范的原型实施。将创建一个覆盖整个美国的网络，并在所有后续工作中将其用作基本网络结构。该规范的核心将是用于自适应路由和在途交易的代理体系结构和协议。根据每个DC的运输和存储的当地价格，确定包裹的“最佳”路线。在包裹到达其最终目的地之前，其代理人将留在DC，以便在网络中断的情况下改变包裹的路线，并充当贸易代理，就包裹可能的转售进行谈判。一个重要的研究问题是确定公共物流网络中运输服务的市场和定价机制的最佳组合。

A public logistics network is proposed as means to provide fast, flexible, and low-cost parcel transport. Similar to the dynamic pricing used to sell airline seats, a price for each available space on a truck and storage space at a distribution center (DC) could be negotiated in real time for each individual item. A third party can search the network for any type of item in transit, negotiate the purchase of the item, and redirected it to a new destination. As compared to private logistics networks, scale economies could be realized in performing each logistics function since each element of the network has access to potentially all of the network's demand. It would be possible for small cities and towns to have access to the same low-cost parcel delivery services that are currently only available in larger cities, and the need for on-site inventory storage would be reduced since finished-goods and safety stocks would be mobile and could be re-routed only when needed.The proposed research will focus on developing a specification of the information infrastructure necessary to realize public logistics networks together with a prototype implementation of the specification. A network covering the entire U.S. will be created and used as the base network structure in all subsequent work. The core of the specification will be an agent architecture and protocols for adaptive routing and in-transit trade. Based on the local price of transport and storage at each DC, the "best" route for the package is determined. Until the package reaches its final destination, its agents would remain at the DCs both to make it possible to re-route a package in case of any disruptions in the network and to serve as trading agents to negotiate the possible resale of the package. An important research issue is to determine what is the best combination of market and pricing mechanisms for the transport services in a public logistics network.