Parcel Delivery Optimization. Cutting Parcel Shipping Costs With Machine Learning

How do you optimize parcel delivery? It’s a question that logistics professionals have asked for years. The last mile of the delivery process is often the most expensive and time-consuming due to traffic congestion and the need to navigate complex urban landscapes. Until recently, there was no better way to optimize last-mile deliveries than simple route optimization. But now, with the help of custom deep learning solutions that optimize processes in real-time, it is possible to cut shipping costs and speed up delivery times. In this article, we will discuss how machine learning can be used to optimize parcel delivery and reduce costs for businesses of all sizes.

Last Mile Delivery Problem and Big Data

The last mile of parcel delivery is the most expensive and time-consuming part of the process, accounting for up to 28% of total shipping costs. In addition to being costly, the need for last-mile delivery is constantly growing and becoming more complex. This is partly due to the increasing number of eCommerce orders being placed, as well as the growing trend of same-day and next-day delivery. To meet these demands, supply chain companies must be able to adapt their operations and optimize their routes in real time.

One way to optimize parcel delivery is by using big data and advanced deep learning models. Big data can be used to identify patterns and trends that can be used to improve the efficiency of last-mile deliveries. Recent advancements in data collection technology and real-time data processing have motivated logistics companies to develop predictive systems that will enhance customer service and optimize logistic processes.

In the past, route optimization and delivery scheduling have been manual processes that are time-consuming and often inaccurate. But with the advent of big data and machine learning, it is now possible to automate this process and make it more accurate than ever before. By collecting data on traffic patterns, weather conditions, construction projects, and other factors that can impact last-mile delivery, machine learning algorithms can predict the best route for each individual parcel.

What Is Parcel Delivery Optimization, and Why Does It Matter?

Parcel Delivery Optimization (PDO) describes the process of reducing shipping costs of parcel deliveries, streamlining planning, and speeding up delivery times through the use of big data and machine learning.

Parcel shipping and last-mile logistics pose different challenges than standard supply chain management.

Challenges Impacting Last-Mile Delivery Efficiency

The first thing to note is that when we talk about parcel shipping, we generally refer to the delivery process of small packages to medium-sized goods as single shipments. This service is available through postal systems, couriers, and smart parcel lockers. The parcels are usually light and can be easily handled by a single person. A typical package comes in the form of a carton box or an envelope with some cost-effective protective materials. Therefore, parcel deliveries cannot always be stacked on top of each other or placed on a pallet. Instead, it is best to put them in bins, bags, sacks, or shelves for transportation.

As customers, we often prefer home deliveries even though we cannot always be home. This poses the next challenge to parcel shipping which is predicting the best time to deliver a parcel to a specific address and minimizing the number of failed deliveries. If a delivery attempt is unsuccessful, the driver will have to come back another time, which wastes time and resources.

In some cases, drivers may have to travel long distances just to make one delivery. This increases fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear, which in turn, raises shipping costs.

And finally, the last mile challenge for parcel shipping is traffic. Many businesses and domestic addresses are located in city centers with high traffic congestion. This can cause delays in delivery times and lead to higher fuel consumption as drivers idle in traffic.

Shippers can be small businesses or large companies that need to send items locally. However, some amount of parcel deliveries are still transported internationally. With the growing number of warehousing and availability of distribution centers, shipping companies are optimizing their processes to send goods from nearby warehouses rather than from the manufacturing site or central depot. This saves time and money, as well as reduces the carbon footprint.

All these challenges make it difficult to optimize parcel shipping routes and minimize costs. But with the help of machine learning, it is now possible to overcome these challenges and optimize parcel delivery. Machine learning can be used to predict traffic patterns, plan the best route for each individual shipment, and even choose the best time for delivery.

Courier Delivery Problem

The courier delivery problem is a classic vehicle routing problem with many real-world applications. In its most general form, the problem is to find the shortest or cheapest route that visits a given set of customers and returns to the depot. The problem can be further constrained by adding time windows, capacity limitations, and other conditions that must be met.

The courier delivery problem has been studied extensively in the operations research community, and many different graph algorithms have been proposed for solving it. However, most of these algorithms are good for planning and offline optimization but are not predictive in nature. They cannot self-optimize based on the forecasts they deliver. Recent advances in machine learning and data science have led to the development of new deep learning methods for solving the courier delivery problem that is able to optimize the delivery network in real time based on multiple predictions.

Last-Mile Delivery Optimization with Machine Learning - Use Cases

Now that we have seen how the courier delivery problem can be formulated as a machine learning problem, let’s look at some real-world examples of where delivery operations can be optimized with the right technology.

Route Optimization and Scheduling Deliveries

The first and most important use case for machine learning is a route optimization and scheduling deliveries. This involves using AI to plan optimal routes for each individual shipment, taking into account traffic conditions, transit times, location of the distribution center, dropoff time slots, car capacity, weather, and other valuable data points. The goal is to maximize the number of successful deliveries finalized by each courier and minimize the number of kilometers run (reduce cost and time of deliveries).

Machine learning models are an excellent solution for the route optimization problem that can achieve maximum efficiency because they can consider a large number of factors and constraints simultaneously and find the best route for each shipment in real-time. It can help couriers adjust their routes better and avoid congested areas resulting in time and cost-effectiveness of the last mile delivery operations. This is a significant improvement over traditional optimization methods and base route optimization software, which are often not able to consider all of the constraints at once or take into account real-time changes such as traffic conditions.

Predicting Delivery Times

Another critical use case for machine learning in parcel shipping optimization is predicting delivery times. It is crucial information for both customers and businesses, as it allows them to plan their day and ensure that someone will be available to receive the package. It also helps companies track their shipments and ensure they are delivered on time.

Shipment track & trace is one thing and accurate time windows for parcel dropoff are another, and you need it to satisfy growing customer expectations. Nowadays, customers require to have transparent last-mile visibility of their parcels. But as they order time-sensitive goods (e.g., grocery, frozen goods), there is an even higher need for an accurate delivery time prediction.

To be able to provide accurate predictions, machine learning models consider a number of factors, such as designated driver schedules, the distance of the delivery, the number of necessary visits to the depot, traffic conditions, and so on. This information can be gathered from GPS data, weather forecasts, social media data, and other sources to provide even more accurate information for end consumers and even greater visibility with updated ETA notifications that drive customer satisfaction levels.

Predicting Failed Deliveries

When we discuss predicting delivery times, it is essential to note that we assume someone will be at the delivery address to receive the parcel during specific time windows. But what if they are not home, or the business is already closed? Failed deliveries contribute a significant cost factor to the whole process, not only because a second attempt is needed but also because undelivered parcels need to be returned to the depot and eventually back to the shipper.

This is where machine learning can help by predicting failed deliveries before they happen. Models can consider several factors such as customer address, type of delivery, historical data on parcel deliveries, and so on. This information can be used to predict whether or not a particular delivery will fail and adjust delivery schedules during delivery planning.

Related case study: Implementing AI model to optimize routes and timelines of deliveries

A company from the logistics sector approached us to create a custom AI model that optimizes routes and the scheduling of deliveries.

Our challenge? The key challenge here was to prepare a dedicated AI-based system designed for carriers to optimize delivery time depending on the destination address. Thanks to the model, we managed to reduce failed and late delivery rates by 30%. Read our detailed case study of this project.

Dynamic Pricing for Last Mile Delivery

It is not uncommon for the end customer that the delivery cost is either nothing (most stores offer free delivery options) or very low (e.g., a few euros/dollars). This creates a big challenge for delivery companies and shippers since their operational costs are much higher.

Traditionally, parcel freight rates are either static (within a specific dimensional weight parameter range) or are calculated based on parcel size and weight, origin, and destination and contracted to the shipper. But as we all know, these factors do not give the complete picture of what it costs to deliver a particular parcel to a specific customer and how to construct parcel spend properly.

This is where machine learning can help by dynamically pricing each delivery based on a number of factors such as distance, size, supply and demand, and so on. This information can be used to calculate a real-time price for each delivery that reflects the actual cost of delivering the parcel. Dynamic pricing is when the price of a product or service fluctuates in real time based on demand. Dynamic pricing models are heavily applied in logistics and shipping. Thanks to this approach, transportation companies can evaluate their approach to pricing strategy and make it more efficient with a higher profit margin.

Large shippers, on the other hand, can use this information to get greater control of their delivery costs and carrier performance, forecast shipping budgets, help in carrier selection, and optimize their shipping operations. They can also utilize this insight to manage multiple carriers that provide parcel delivery services skillfully.

Improving Smart Parcel Lockers Systems

When we talk about last-mile delivery optimization, we cannot forget about smart parcel lockers systems. These are becoming increasingly popular within the parcel market as they offer several advantages for both customers and businesses.

For customers, parcel lockers provide a convenient way to receive their parcel shipments as they can pick them up at their convenience, which improves overall customer satisfaction.

For businesses, parcel lockers provide a competitive advantage to efficiently manage deliveries as parcels can be delivered to one location and then sorted and distributed to the individual parcel lockers. This approach reduces the number of missed deliveries and failed attempts as well as the overall cost of last-mile delivery.

Machine learning can help improve smart parcel locker systems in several ways:

• smart delivery scheduling (optimize routes and schedules)
• predicting pickup times
• predicting locker filling rates
• forecasting failed deliveries
• optimizing for parcel consolidation
• determining the location of new parcel lockers

All of these factors can be taken into account to improve the efficiency of parcel locker systems and make them even more convenient for customers and businesses alike. You can read more about AI for smart parcel lockers in our previous article.

Computer Vision Solutions for Parcel Delivery Optimization

One important aspect of parcel delivery optimization with machine learning is image processing. This involves techniques such as image segmentation, which separates an image into distinct regions or objects. In order to train a machine learning model to accurately identify these regions or objects, a large and diverse training dataset of images is necessary. By analyzing and interpreting these images, the model can learn to recognize and classify different elements in an image, allowing for more efficient and accurate parcel delivery processes.

Image processing plays a crucial role in the development of a land parcel identification system using machine learning. Through techniques such as image segmentation, the system can accurately identify and classify different features within an image of a parcel, such as the size and shape of the package, as well as any shipping labels or markings. By training the system with a large and diverse dataset of images, or “parcel deep training,” the model can continually improve its accuracy and efficiency in identifying parcels. This, in turn, can lead to more efficient shipping methods and smarter optimization of the parcel delivery process.

How Deep Learning Models Increase Customer Satisfaction and Benefit Carriers?

The goal of any business is to satisfy its customers and increase sales. In the case of parcel delivery, this means delivering the parcels on time (ever-tightening schedules) and in good condition. Recent advancements within the machine learning fields and the growing popularity of the deep neural networks approach make it possible for carriers and shippers to develop predictive models that can forecast different parcel delivery events. Unlike basic regression models that can be applied for simple forecasting, deep learning models can take into account many different data sources and make much more accurate predictions together with automating advanced decision-making.

On The Path Towards AI-Driven Last-Mile Delivery Strategies - Reoptimize Routes and Schedules in Real-Time

Last-mile delivery optimization is a complex problem that requires a holistic approach to automation and data analytics. It involves integration with all other logistics systems for end-to-end shipment visibility and, in many cases, able to process data in real-time. AI is already disturbing the logistics sector, though not in the same pace for all the players on the market.Current problems of logistics and transportation companies and the inability to move the needle of digitization are heavily rooted in the legacy systems and setups in use. Legacy ERP and TMS do not offer insights that would give a competitive edge or provide resilience in times of market disruptions that we now notice.

Many supply chain businesses are nowadays transforming their IT ecosystem and moving to cloud providers to leverage the data they collect and use it to improve their business. This is also the moment for proper planning of your future AI implementation. You need to approach the digitization process carefully to satisfy the needs of machine learning models like real-time data access and complete visibility of business operations.

Suppose you want to take full advantage of machine learning and other advanced technologies that can help you optimize your shipping operations. In that case, you need to move away from legacy systems in a planned manner. Only by doing so will you be able to improve your business efficiency, better serve your customers, and remain competitive in the market.

If you want to learn more about how machine learning can help optimize your last-mile delivery operations, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of AI experts is ready and waiting to partner with you to create a stellar AI solution that drives efficiency and improved customer experience.