Hybrid modeling of collaborative freight transportation planning using agent-based simulation, auction-based mechanisms, and optimization

Abstract

The sharing economy is a peer-to-peer economic model characterized by people and organizations sharing resources. With the emergence of such economies, an increasing number of logistics providers seek to collaborate and derive benefit from the resultant economic efficiencies, sustainable operations, and network resilience. This study investigates the potential for collaborative planning enabled through a Physical Internet-enabled logistics system in an urban area that acts as a freight transport hub with several e-commerce warehouses. Our collaborative freight transportation planning approach is realized through a three-layer structured hybrid model that includes agent-based simulation, auction mechanism, and optimization. A multi-agent model simulates a complex transportation network, an auction mechanism facilitates allocating transport services to freight requests, and a simulation–optimization technique is used to analyze strategic transportation planning under different objectives. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses and Pareto efficiency experiments are conducted to draw insights regarding the effect of parameter settings and multi-objectives. The computational results demonstrate the efficacy of our developed model and solution approach, tested on a real urban freight transportation network in a major US city.

Proposal of a module-driven architecture for building simulation models devoted to container terminals: dilemmas in applying generic, flexible, and modular principles

“…In brief, the medium level is the mastermind of the proposed solution fed with physical flows generated by the upper level and is aware of its context via the lower level. Similar multi-layer structures for logistics systems can be found in: Sun et al, 44 Chen et al, 35 and Bae et al 19…”

“…In brief, the medium level is the mastermind of the proposed solution fed with physical flows generated by the upper level and is aware of its context via the lower level. Similar multilayer structures for logistics systems can be found in: Sun et al, 44 Chen et al, 35 and Bae et al 19 TSP module creates and saves flow scenarios either in files or in databases regardless of the body in which it is involved. However, in case when old scenarios or other ones (e.g., created manually) are used, there is no need for the engine of TSP module, because it will be solicited only to inject transportation means inside the system through the dedicated connecting interface which will reduce a bit the execution time.…”

“…17,18 Moreover, since the tremendous leaps in computational power, simulation models can integrate optimization models or on the contrary being embodied inside optimization models or otherwise both could run sequentially. Bae et al 19 outlined the different ways of combining optimization with simulation as well as optimization/simulation with other methods, and a full review of these combinations is done by Figueira and Almada-Lobo. 1 According to these authors coupling simulation with optimization is an appropriate way of solving complex problems within a stochastic environment; however, the traditional practice of using analytical models in optimization still dominates.…”

HLA-based time management and synchronization framework for lean manufacturing tools evaluation

“…27 Some hybrid, parallel, or distributed systems and applications have been developed outside of the military industry. To simulate a complicated transportation network, Bae et al 28 created a hybrid and collaborative model that combines agent-based simulation, an auction mechanism, and optimization. Kim et al 29 built a parallel simulation system to model and control air traffic operations.…”

Different Numerical Techniques, Modeling and Simulation in Solving Complex Problems

“…The [4] described modeling and simulation applications to organizational systems, while [5] gave an overview of agent-based simulation methodologies and development. In [6] showed benefits and drawbacks between DES and ABS.…”