2021/01/19 by Manuel Patchou, Patchou, Manuel, Benjamin Sliwa +3
Engineering · #Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Optimization #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Networking and Internet Architecture (cs.NI) #Robotics (cs.RO) #Transportation and Mobility Innovations #UAV Applications and Optimization
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2101.07877
openalex publication_date 2021/01/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The integration of small-scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into\nIntelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) will empower novel smart-city\napplications and services. After the unforeseen outbreak of the COVID-19\npandemic, the public demand for delivery services has multiplied. Mobile\nrobotic systems inherently offer the potential for minimizing the amount of\ndirect human-to-human interactions with the parcel delivery process. The\nproposed system-of-systems consists of various complex aspects such as\nassigning and distributing delivery jobs, establishing and maintaining reliable\ncommunication links between the vehicles, as well as path planning and mobility\ncontrol. In this paper, we apply a system-level perspective for identifying key\nchallenges and promising solution approaches for modeling, analysis, and\noptimization of UAV-aided parcel delivery. We present a system-of-systems model\nfor UAV-assisted parcel delivery to cope with higher capacity requirements\ninduced by the COVID-19. To demonstrate the benefits of hybrid vehicular\ndelivery, we present a case study focusing on the prioritization of\ntime-critical deliveries such as medical goods. The results further confirm\nthat the capacity of traditional delivery fleets can be upgraded with drone\nusage. Furthermore, we observe that the delay incurred by prioritizing\ntime-critical deliveries can be compensated with drone deployment. Finally,\ncentralized and decentralized communication approaches for data transmission\ninside hybrid delivery fleets are compared.\n