Multidelivery

Multidelivery refers to a logistics approach in which one vehicle or courier completes multiple deliveries on a single route within a planned time window. The aim is to consolidate orders to reduce idle miles, improve vehicle utilization, and lower transportation costs.

Practices associated with multidelivery include route optimization, order batching, and time-window coordination. It is supported by centralized order management, real-time tracking, dynamic scheduling, and the use of consolidation centers or micro-distribution hubs to enable efficient multi-stop trips.

Applications are common in e-commerce fulfillment, grocery and convenience deliveries, and urban freight. Multidelivery often relies on software and data analytics to determine which orders can be combined without compromising service levels, as well as on physical facilities that consolidate shipments before final delivery.

Benefits of multidelivery include reduced total miles driven, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and higher asset utilization. It can also lead to cost savings and improved overall service reliability when routes are well planned and execution is monitored.

Challenges involve the complexity of route planning with fluctuating demand and delivery windows, capacity constraints, and the risk that delays at one stop affect subsequent deliveries. There can also be operational considerations related to driver workload, safety, and customer expectations around timing.

Evaluation of multidelivery programs typically considers on-time delivery rate, total route distance, vehicle utilization, cost per parcel, and emissions per delivery, along with customer satisfaction and service reliability.