Multi-agent Model for Urban Goods Distribution

Abstract

This paper proposes a multi-agent model to evaluate the last mile distribution process in urban areas, in a network that includes a single depot, multiple customers and multiple homogeneous and capacitated vehicles. The model is based on the behaviors of the different stakeholders and their interactions, including coordination and collaboration of agents in the allocations and routing processes. The performance of the Solomon Algorithm is the starting point of the proposed model and the comparison of both results shows the advantage of using multi-agent modelling to reduce distances and number of vehicles needed for urban freight transportation.