Designing and analyzing drone-based city logistics solutions for Kochi using a Fuzzy Multi-Criteria decision making framework

Over the past decades, city logistics (CL) problems have led to the development of sustainable solutions and approaches. Current last-mile operations are inefficient, and economic competitiveness is influenced by limited time windows for freight delivery in complex urban environments. Technological innovations and CL initiatives have enabled the development of novel, complex, and sustainable solutions. Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have gained attention in literature, and this paper aims to evaluate and find the most suitable drone-based CL concept for Kochi city in Kerala, India. Considering the city’s geography, 11 feasible drone-based CL concepts are identified and evaluated by applying F-CoCoSo (Fuzzy Combined Compromise Solution) method. The fuzzy Sugeno-Weber operator is used to aggregate the expert opinions. The results imply that the best ranked alternatives are A3 (Barges acting as mobile depots for drone launching for delivery zones near to inland waterways and MCCs for services outside delivery zones), and A9 (Barges acting as mobile depots, transporting goods to generator groups, with drones executing final delivery phases). This article provides insights into the potential of drone applications in CL concepts, offering guidance for future policymakers and planners in defining development directions in urban areas. It also inspires the use of emerging technologies and known CL initiatives in defining new CL concepts. The approach also helps decision-makers address CL problems by considering stakeholder interests and incorporating their goals into a comprehensive decision-making framework, ensuring effective CL solutions.