ALLOCATION OF POSTAL NETWORK FACILITIES, BASED ON EXISTING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

Jozef Štefunko; Radovan Madleňák

doi:10.12955/cbup.v3.586

Jozef Štefunko Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina
Radovan Madleňák Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v3.586

Keywords: Postal network, infrastructure, allocation models, p-median

Abstract

Postal operator, as well as every network enterprise, needs to keep its costs on the lowest level possible, while maintaining the reliability and availability of its services. One option to the costs is to optimize the transport network. This article focuses on the creation of postal network based on existing road infrastructure in Slovakia. Except the basic analysis of the infrastructure, the research approach adopted in this article relies on methods of graph theory to solve allocation problems. In particular, it is the method of p-median values and its algorithms to determine the number and location of new postal sorting centers. The findings showed that the analysis performed is just the cornerstone in finding the optimal solution for such strategic investments. Results are bounded to the input values used, especially the distance of the network vertices. Specific values of postal sector need to be incorporated with more thorough analysis of road infrastructure, considering future development of transport network.

References

Berman, O., Larson, R. C., & Fouska, N. (1992). Optimal Location of Discretionary Service Facilities. Transportation Science, 26(3), 201-211.

Cenek, P., Klima, V., & Janáček, J. (1994). Optimalizace dopravných a spojových procesů [Optimization of processes in transport and communications]. Žilina, Slovakia: Edičné stredisko VŠDS.

Černý, J., & Kluvánek, P. (1991). Základy matematickej teórie dopravy [Basics of mathematical theory of transport]. Bratislava, Slovakia: Veda.

Čorejová, T., Achimský, K., Fitzová, M., & Kajánek, B. (1995). Projektovanie sietí v pošte I. [Designing networks in postal industry I.]. Žilina, Slovakia: Edičné stredisko VŠDS.

Daskin, M. S. (2013): Network and discrete location: Models, algorithms and applications (Second ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Daskin, M. S. (2010). Service Science. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Goldman, A. J (1971). Optimal center location on simple networks. Transportation science, 5, 212-221

Janáček, J. (2006). Optimalizace na dopravních sítích [Optimization on transport networks] Žilina, Slovakia: EDIS.

Kušnierová, J., & Hollarek, T. (2000). Metódy modelovania a prognózovania prepravného a dopravného procesu [Modeling and forecasting methods of transport processes]. Žilina, Slovakia: EDIS.

Larson, R. C., & Odoni, A. R. (2007). Urban operations research. Belmont, MA: Dynamic Ideas.

Madleňák, R. (2005). Algoritmy vhodné pre optimalizáciu najvyššej úrovne poštovej prepravnej siete [Algorithms suitable for optimization of highest level of postal transport network]. Doprava a Spoje, 1(1). Retrieved March 4, 2015, from http://fpedas.uniza.sk/dopravaaspoje/index.php

Madleňák, R. (2007). K možnostiam organizácie pružnej poštovej prepravnej siete [Organizational options for flexible postal transport network]. Perner’s contacts, 2(1) Retrieved March 13, 2015, from http://pernerscontacts.upce.cz.

Madleňák, R., Madleňáková, L., & Štefunko, J. (2014). The optimization variants of postal transportation network. Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication, 14. Riga, Latvia: TSI.

Palúch, S. (2001). Teória grafov [Graph theory]. Žilina, Slovakia: EDIS.

Švadlenka L. (2006). Management v poštovních službách [Management in postal services]. Pardubice, Czech Republic: Univerzita Pardubice.