The Millennium Universal College (TMUC)

Automation of Courier Services in Pakistan

Abstract

I have introduced a logistic model which includes distribution of packages to a collection of

service points (SPs), but this model is beneficial for small packages only. Furthermore
recipient will also be notified at the time, when parcel will be dispatched and once when it
reaches at the SP. I have then presented efficient solutions to the problems which occurred
in this model. When SPs are used, many recipients will not have desire for a specific
location, close to the recipient's office, such as close to the recipient's home address, or in
the recipient's preferred mall, in contrast to the traditional delivery model where each
recipient specifies a single location at which they wish to receive the parcel. It is feasible to
complete the delivery task more quickly and at a lesser cost if some recipients are
accommodating and ready to give the sender multiple delivery locations.

Introduction

An automation system is a combination of sensors, controllers, and actuators that is

created to carry out a task with little or no assistance from humans. Service points (SPs) are
automated with cell locks. Delivering packages to recipients via nearby local service points
(SPs) rather than transporting each one directly to the recipient's address will help cut
down on these costs. They will be installed at the gate of every society, main hub of an
area, near malls, and grocery stores. This model will be very cost savings since it eliminates
the need for receivers and couriers to coordinate their schedules and the time-consuming
task of finding their addresses. Receiving packages at SPs rather than at home may be less
convenient from the recipient's point of view, but the cost savings might result in cheaper
shipment tariffs. Additionally, it can be preferable for some recipients to avoid having to
coordinate with the courier. A parcel collection service which is automated parcel locker
system (APLS) enables consumers to have their packages delivered to SPs which can be
picked up at any time using digital pickup code sent to the receiver using a message. Since
automated SPs are open around-the-clock and are less prone to experience line formation
than staffed facilities, using them could help reduce delivery costs even more.
Objective

In this research paper, I have presented a logistic model for package delivery that is ideally
suited for APLSs and provide efficient solutions. Each recipient designates a specific location
to receive their package in traditional delivery methods. However, when an APLS is used,
many recipients might not have a strong preference among several delivery locations.
Because for many recipients privacy is also very important and they want to make sure that
the parcel shouldn’t be delivered to someone else. Moreover, if the parcel is delivered
during the day or to another SP that is close to the recipient's home, the recipient may have
equally convenient access to three different SPs along his or her commute from work to
home. The delivery operation can be finished more quickly and at a lesser cost if some
recipients are accommodating and willing to give the sender more than one potential
delivery site. This study's objective is to develop and solve a parcel delivery model that
accounts for the number of cars, their routes, and the distribution of packages among
them. The flexible parcel delivery (FPD) problem, as it is known, is defined as follows. We
are provided a collection of SPs, each with a certain capacity, as well as a set of parcels that
are originally situated at a central facility (depot). Each parcel has a set of potential
destinations, a size, and a penalty for not being delivered during the following shift. These
fines can be adjusted over time to reflect how urgent each parcel is. There is no limit on the
number of identically equipped cars that can be used to distribute the packages. Each pair
of sites' trip distance, cost, and time are listed. The time needed to unload a parcel from a
vehicle at an SP is also represented by a predetermined handling time per parcel. The goal
is to reduce the total costs associated with travel, vehicles, and fines for undeliverable
packages. The FPD issue is an issue with vehicle routing (VRP). For many corporate and
public enterprises, vehicle routing is a crucial duty. It is essential for both local
transportation inside a manufacturing or warehouse structure and for cost-effective
delivery of goods. Shorter routes for cars with more capacity relieve pressure on the road
infrastructure, enhance traffic flow, and help to lessen the negative effects of
transportation. Effective and efficient vehicle routing may also have economic and
environmental effects.