Optimizing Parcel Delivery Routes

The research on parcel route optimization is a major step forward in improving parcel delivery operations, which enables e-commerce companies to make data-driven decisions and reduce the costs, time, and environmental impact of parcel delivery. Proper research has the potential to revolutionize the parcel delivery industry, and its impact will be felt by businesses and consumers alike. The vehicle routing problem (VRP) is an extension of the traveling salesman problem (TSP). While TSP only uses one vehicle, the VRP is required to be solved for multiple vehicles. An extension is the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), generally known as drones, for delivering goods and items that are transported by standard vehicles. Drones differ from standard vehicles as they can travel by air while standard vehicles can only travel by street. Here, the UAV/drone has been paired with the truck as a traditional delivery for small parcel delivery (lightly weighted). Initially, a UAV and all customer packages are carried by the delivery truck to the Depot Center (DC). Then, the UAV is launched from the truck while delivering packages for specific consumers. The UAV travels without assistance from the delivery person (autonomous flying). The vehicle then moves to a new customer location, while the UAV returns to it. The driver must load items, change batteries, and retrieve the UAV to secure it inside the truck while it is in motion.