Use of agent-based simulation modeling in the vehicle selection process in the E-commerce industry

Abstract

In view of the significant increase in e-commerce in Brazil, in which the consumption of products has been consolidated thanks to expanded access to communication technologies, which have become more popular. In this context, there has been a growing concern about the resources used in the final phase of delivery (known as the "last mile") and the increased use of urban areas for the operation of delivery vehicles, making it imperative to search for new solutions to reduce the costs and impacts of the last mile. However, implementing and testing new projects to address these issues often comes with considerable costs. To mitigate these testing costs, professionals involved in last-mile logistics projects have begun to adopt simulation tools. Among these tools, agent-based simulation has been shown to be efficient in solving last-mile challenges. This is due to the variety of stakeholders involved in this complex landscape, including the local community, customers, carriers, stores, sales platforms, and more, each with their own goals and objectives. It is worth noting that the choice of the most suitable vehicle for each situation in the delivery system may vary. The paper in question uses agent-based simulation as a method to analyze the feasibility and performance of various types of vehicles used in the delivery of e-commerce products.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevenIVmulti2023-073