arXiv subjects

Sahrish Jaleel Shaikh

Publications and source records attributed to Sahrish Jaleel Shaikh.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Distributed and Dynamic Hub Network Operation Planning in a Hyperconnected Less-Than-Truckload Operating System

The less-than-truckload (LTL) industry plays a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of logistics systems, as LTL shipments offer greater consolidation opportunities than full-truckload shipments. Despite of this flexibility, the average cost of LTL shipments remains considerably higher due to less efficient operations and highly fragmented networks of small and medium-sized carriers. Building on our ongoing effort to develop a distributed and dynamic logistics hub network system grounded in the Physical Internet (PI) principles of modular containers and open resource sharing, this study focuses specifically on inter-hub and in-hub operations, with cooperation among multiple regional hub networks. Therefore, a shipment may traverse multiple cooperating hub networks. With respect to each hub network each shipment enters, it is defined by its expected arrival time at the entry hub and its latest arrival time at the exit hub. Based on the defined shipment information, we design a set of multi-hub operation planning protocols for distributed hub operators. In their operating networks, operators use our smartly designed protocol separately to plan in-hub shipments' assignments to destination-specific trailers and inter-hub trailers' dispatch schedules. With carefully designed interconnections between hub networks, the aggregated hub network system is well-positioned to achieve cooperative outcomes and fulfill shipment requests. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol through a simulation-based experiment under multiple scenarios in an operator's multi-hub network. Overall, this research improves the practicality and robustness of PI-based networks and supports greater cooperation among hub networks toward more efficient and sustainable logistics systems.

math.OC↗

arXiv2025

Dynamic Directional Routing of Freight in the Physical Internet

The Physical Internet (PI) envisions an interconnected, modular, and dynamically managed logistics system inspired by the Digital Internet. It enables open-access networks where shipments traverse a hyperconnected system of hubs, adjusting routes based on real-time conditions. A key challenge in scalable and adaptive freight movement is routing determining how shipments navigate the network to balance service levels, consolidation, and adaptability. This paper introduces directional routing, a dynamic approach that flexibly adjusts shipment paths, optimizing efficiency and consolidation using real-time logistics data. Unlike shortest-path routing, which follows fixed routes, directional routing dynamically selects feasible next-hop hubs based on network conditions, consolidation opportunities, and service level constraints. It consists of two phases: area discovery, which identifies candidate hubs, and node selection, which determines the next hub based on real-time parameters. This paper advances the area discovery phase by introducing a Reduced Search Space Breadth-First Search (RSS-BFS) method to systematically identify feasible routing areas while balancing service levels and consolidation. The proposed approach enhances network fluidity, scalability, and adaptability in PI-based logistics, advancing autonomous and sustainable freight movement.

cs.NI↗

arXiv2021

Introducing Services and Protocols for Inter-Hub Transportation in the Physical Internet

The Physical Internet (PI) puts high emphasis on enabling logistics to reliably perform at the speed mandated by and promised to customers, and to do so efficiently and sustainably. To do so, goods to be moved are encapsulated in modular containers and these are flowed from hub to hub in relay mode. At each hub, PI enables fast and efficient dynamic consolidation of sets of containers to be shipped together to next hubs. Each consolidated set is assigned to an appropriate vehicle so to enact the targeted transport. In this paper, we address the case where transportation service providers are available to provide vehicles and trailers of distinct dimensions on demand according to openly agreed and/or contracted terms. We describe the essence of such terms, notably relative to expected frequency distribution of transport requests, and expectations about time between request and arrival at hub. In such a context, we introduce rigorous generic protocols that can be applied at each hub so as to dynamically generate consolidation sets of modular containers and requests for on-demand transportation services, in an efficient, resilient, and sustainable way ensuring reliable pickup and delivery within the promised time windows. We demonstrate the performance of such protocols using a simulation-based experiment for a national intercity express parcel logistic network. We finally provide conclusive remarks and promising avenues for field implementation and further research.

math.OC↗