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Hybrid truck-drone deliveries slash costs by 38% 

Hybrid truck-drone delivery slashes costs by 38%
Hybrid truck-drone delivery slashes costs by 38%
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A new study is out on whether it’s wise to combine truck and drone technology for route planning in rural areas, to improve deliveries. At the heart of it is the argument that collaborative route planning can improve distribution efficiency, reduce costs, and boost service quality. 

There is a growing demand for efficient logistics services as “traditional methods” face uphill battles, especially in remote mountainous regions of China. 

In this study, “Research on truck-drone collaborative route planning for rural logistics delivery services,” researchers have proposed a hybrid delivery model that combines the strengths of drones and trucks. 

Researchers Yong Wang, Suo Yang, Xi Vincent Wang & Lihui Wang address methodology to streamline deliveries and make them more cost-effective. 

A hybrid model for rural logistics

Trucks offer large carrying capacity and lower operating costs. However, they’re not an option for rural areas, as roads are sometimes inaccessible due to the lack of decent infrastructure to access these remote areas. 

This is where the drone swoops in. Researchers have found that drones represent an “efficient and flexible solution” that can effectively overcome the limitations of traditional delivery methods.

By combining these two transport methods, logistics companies can optimize routes and ensure goods like food and medicine are delivered to these areas. 

The combination translates to “minimizing both time and costs while improving the accuracy and reliability of deliveries.”

Route optimization reduces costs

The case study was conducted in Jinyun, Zhejiang Province, where the truck-drone logistics model was tested in 40 rural locations. 

A single truck transported four drones to various central points for package deliveries. 

The research found that the total mileage for when only a truck is used is 75.06 km, resulting in a cost of 1,501.2 yuan. 

However, when a truck and drone were combined, the joint distribution mode was 89.36 km, costing 927.4 yuan.

This is a whopping 38.22% cost reduction, demonstrating the financial impact this hybrid model can have on the logistics industry. 

To read the full report: Research on truck-drone collaborative route planning for rural logistics delivery services

About the author

Mia Lindeque

Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.

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