Publication:

Using agent-bases simulation and optimization models to design the automated parcel lockers network in Pamplona (Spain).

Urban Logistics (UL) is growing in importance with the rise of e-commerce worldwide and home deliveries of small but frequent orders from consumers. Alternative delivery methods have been in the scope of researchers and delivery companies for years. The introduction of Self Collection Delivery Systems (SCDS) innovates on Last Mile Delivery (LMD) operations in urban areas and bring new advantages to the table. Automated Parcel Lockers (APL) are the evolution of prior developments in SCDS. Thus, APLs are a hot topic among researchers and delivery companies. APL networks are a scalable, customizable, electronic, and cloudbased solution that allow customers unattended parcel collection with no time restrictions and total convenience. This Master Thesis reviews the available literature on different aspects related to APL implementation and conducts a market research on population's perception and usability forecast of APL in Pamplona. Moreover, Agent-Based Modelling is used to model future demand based on a number of socio-economic parameters, i.e., population as well as the rates of online users, e-commerce growth, e-shoppers, APL usage, and others. Likewise, the APL location optimization model is dynamically executed within the simulation framework to minimize the operational and service costs to meet the expected demand. Promising results are obtained, encouraging the use of simulation and optimization tools to leverage the use of APLs as a last-mile distribution scheme.