Prize-winning thesis: Saving time by using drones in parcel delivery?

Thesis awarded a prize

Marvin Meyke, 19.10.2018, 09:45

Saving time by using drones for parcel delivery?

Daniel Schermer © TUK

Drones are now widely used, and parcel deliverers are also interested in the technology. Student Daniel Schermer from Kaiserslautern has now been awarded a prize for his master's thesis on the use of drones in parcel delivery.

In his thesis, Schermer investigated whether parcel or shipping companies can save time by using drones. He developed a mathematical model with which he tested how quickly parcel drivers deliver parcels to customers when they use drones in addition to delivery vans. His conclusion: less time is needed for delivery.

Route planning for the use of drones

"There are a number of legal and advanced technical aspects to this topic, but they were not incorporated into this model," says Schermer, now a research assistant at the Chair of Information Systems and Operations Research under Professor Dr. Oliver Wendt at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TUK). The model was only concerned with how parcel delivery companies can plan their routes when they bring parcels to customers by van and at the same time by drone.

Model: Drone and parcel carrier deliver simultaneously

"The scenario envisages each driver having one or more drones on the roof of the delivery van," the economist continues. "This means he can deliver the parcels both ways." For example, the drone delivers a parcel and then flies back to the van while the parcel carrier continues on his route. The Society for Operations Research awarded him the prize for outstanding theses for his work.

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