Optimising the logistics of urban healthcare through a shared-fleet collaboration

Abstract

Purpose: shared-fleet operations, where the collection/delivery (CD) rounds of one fleet (the ‘donor’ fleet) are optimised to include the CD activity of another, are one approach to reducing freight vehicle impacts in urban centres. This research investigates the potential benefits of shared-fleet logistics in a healthcare setting (reduced costs, vehicle-kilometres (vkm), and CO₂ emissions), specifically between Southampton City Council (SCC, as the ‘donor’ fleet) and the NHS, with SCC’s electric courier vans (n=9) collecting pathology samples from local GP surgeries (n=78) across Southampton in addition to their existing CD activities.

Research Approach: this study used historic data provided by the NHS on pathology sample generation rates from the 78 GP surgeries around Southampton, along with the daily rounds of SCC’s electric courier vans to model the impacts of shared-fleet collection in comparison to the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario where a 3rd party fleet is used by the NHS. Proprietary optimisation software was used to devise shared rounds incorporating constraints such as time windows, electric van payload capacity and range. The research is also exploring how the various costs and benefits can be equitably allocated and shared between the parties.
Findings and Originality
Results indicated that implementing an electric shared-fleet operation where 9 existing local authority fleet vehicles served 78 GP surgeries as part of their existing round activity, collecting an average of ~40 samples per day per surgery, would provide annual reductions of 1,518 vehicles routes (40%), 13,156 vkm (3%), and 59.961 tonnes of CO₂ emissions (69%) compared to the BAU situation. Also, this could potentially reduce overall costs for the NHS by £42,504 (14%) annually.

Research Impact: the research challenge entails optimising both fixed and dynamic demands across the donor fleet in a shared-fleet operation whilst accounting for prioritised activities and fixed vehicle capacity. A Travelling Salesman optimisation approach was employed to address this challenge, incorporating time windows and a range of constraints impacting on electric vehicles. A time-based cost allocation method was utilised to equitably distribute costs and benefits between the collaborating parties.

Practical Impact: the research has identified a practical approach for public authorities to enhance the efficiency of their vehicles by collaboratively sharing available capacity whilst generating additional revenue. The study has also demonstrated how the NHS can reduce their transport footprint by using shared-fleet collaborations to help reach their zero emissions target by 2040. It also highlights the issues associated with establishing and managing such a collaboration where the donor fleet must cope with fixed and dynamic demands.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Ismail Aydemir: orcid.org/0000-0002-7847-1801

ORCID for Fraser Mcleod: orcid.org/0000-0002-5784-9342

ORCID for Matt Grote: orcid.org/0000-0001-5590-7150

ORCID for Tom Cherrett: orcid.org/0000-0003-0394-5459

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