A Flexible Educational Simulation Model to Study Autonomous Last-Mile Logistics

This paper presents an open-source discrete-event simulation model to support simulation education of business and engineering students using an appealing problem setting of automated transport for last-mile logistics. The open-source nature of our approach facilitates customization and further development, fostering collaborative research and education initiatives. Within this context, we develop a flexible approach that utilizes OpenStreetMap to create engaging models for simulation education. The basic functionalities corresponding with last-mile logistics operations are included in the model and allow students to quickly experiment with novel logistics concepts, fleet configurations, and planning algorithms to evaluate operational efficiency, environmental consequences (e.g., carbon emissions), and societal factors (e.g., livability). To illustrate our approach, we focus on conceptualizing and modeling the campus of the University of Twente in Plant Simulation as a final assignment for a graduate-level simulation course. We present several options for the model's use for educational purposes.