Optimization Model of Hybrid Hub-and-Spoke Transportation Network of Road Less-Than-Truckload Cargo with Different Transportation Time Limits

With the growth of large parcel transportation, it is vital for road LTL (less-than-truckload) cargo transportation to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. In order to investigate the influence of transportation network structure on transport efficiency and cost, a hybrid hub-and-spoke transportation network optimization model was proposed in this study. The capacity of freight hubs and the restriction of cargo in-transit transportation time were considered, and the lowest cost was used as optimization goal in this model. The artificial fish swarm algorithm (AFSA) was applied to solve this model. A case study of Guangdong Shunxin Express Company in China was conducted to compare the transportation cost and transit strategy obtained using different transportation network structures. Results demonstrate that, the operating cost of the transportation network with different time limits reduces by 4.04% and 3.02% when compared with that of the all-direct transportation network and actual network, respectively. The operating cost of the transportation network with different time limits increases by 3.59% compared to that of the transportation network with equal time limit. The number of routes in the transportation network with different time limits that include direct transportation and transit via one freight hub increase by 9 and 6, and the number of routes with transit via two freight hubs decreases by 15 when compared with that based on the transportation network with equal time limit. These findings indicate that transportation network with different time limits saves operating cost based on timeliness of transportation. This study provides a good reference for the operation optimization of road LTL cargo transportation enterprises. © 2023 School of Science, IHU. All rights reserved.