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Publicações

Publicações por CEGI

2022

The Probabilistic Travelling Salesman Problem with Crowdsourcing

Autores
Santini, A; Viana, A; Klimentova, X; Pedroso, JP;

Publicação
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Abstract
We study a variant of the Probabilistic Travelling Salesman Problem arising when retailers crowdsource last-mile deliveries to their own customers, who can refuse or accept in exchange for a reward. A planner must identify which deliveries to offer, knowing that all deliveries need fulfilment, either via crowdsourcing or using the retailer's own vehicle. We formalise the problem and position it in both the literature about crowdsourcing and among routing problems in which not all customers need a visit. We show that to evaluate the objective function of this stochastic problem for even one solution, one needs to solve an exponential number of Travelling Salesman Problems. To address this complexity, we propose Machine Learning and Monte Carlo simulation methods to approximate the objective function, and both a branch-and-bound algorithm and heuristics to reduce the number of evaluations. We show that these approaches work well on small size instances and derive managerial insights on the economic and environmental benefits of crowdsourcing to customers.

2022

2-echelon lastmile delivery with lockers and occasional couriers

Autores
Dos Santos, AG; Viana, A; Pedroso, JP;

Publicação
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART E-LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION REVIEW

Abstract
We propose a new approach for the lastmile delivery problem where, besides serving as collecting points of orders for customers, parcel lockers are also used as transshipment nodes in a 2-echelon delivery system. Moreover, we consider that a customer (occasional courier) visiting a locker may accept a compensation to make a delivery to another customer on their regular traveling path. The proposed shared use of the locker facilities - by customers that prefer to self-pick up their orders, and also as a transfer deposit for customers that prefer home delivery - will contribute to better usage of an already available storage capacity. Furthermore, the use of occasional couriers (OCs) brings an extra layer of flexibility to the delivery process and may positively contribute to achieving some environmental goals: although non-consolidation of deliveries may, at first sight, seem negative, by only considering OCs that would go to the locker independently of making or not a delivery on their way home, and their selection being constrained by a maximum detour, the carbon footprint can be potentially reduced when compared to that of dedicated vehicles. We present a mixed-integer linear programming formulation for the problem that integrates three delivery options - depot to locker, depot to locker followed by final delivery by a professional fleet, and depot to locker followed by final delivery by an OC. Furthermore, to assess the impact of OCs' no show on the delivery process, we extend the formulation to re-schedule the delivery of previous undelivered parcels, and analyze the impact of different no-show rates. Thorough computational experiments show that the use of OCs has a positive impact both on the delivery cost and on the total distance traveled by the dedicated fleets. Experiments also show that the negative impact of no-shows may be reduced by using lockers with higher capacities.

2022

Mitigating rural fires through transformative service research: value cocreation with forest-related rural communities

Autores
Souza, MEB; Teixeira, JG; Pacheco, AP;

Publicação
Advances in Forest Fire Research 2022

Abstract
Socioeconomic changes have caused profound transformations in forest landscapes and increased abandonment of rural areas, leading to fuel accumulation and higher landscape homogeneity, and consequently, raising the rural fires risk. Rural fires risk is also fueled by climate change, due to heat waves and lack of precipitation. In this context, rural communities inhabiting forest areas are those who suffer the most, because rural fires, land degradation and climate change can disturb their food and economic strategy. These communities already suffer from underdeveloped rural infrastructure, and services, lack of labor and education opportunities, that trigger poverty and migration. Given this accelerating pace of change and increasing uncertainty, many fields of knowledge have been dedicated to contributing towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. In service research, transformative service research (TSR) literature plays a central role on understanding problems and finding solutions that improve well-being and create uplifting change through services. Similarly, the fire research field highlights the need for an integrated perspective to analyze all the aspects involved in rural fires occurrence, whether they are of an environmental or economic nature, or a sociological or demographic nature. This study aims to explore new services to cocreate value with forest-related rural communities, thus helping to manage forest areas and mitigate rural fires risks. A qualitative methodology was employed involving 28 participants related to fire management and forest areas and communities, including actors from industries, public entities, academics, the third sector. The data collected through individual interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed following a thematic analysis approach, with NVivo software support. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for an endogenous and adapted set of services to cocreate value with vulnerable communities in forest areas, which consequently enable rural fires mitigation. Given the high level of land abandonment and accumulation of residual materials that increases the risk of rural fires, the development of valuing and recovery solutions is a priority. Finally, this research can also help decision-makers and stakeholders to generate and support services that cocreate value with rural communities to a sustainable, safe and inclusive future.

2022

Systematizing experts' risk perception on rural fires resulting from traditional burnings in Portugal: A Mental Model approach

Autores
Souza, MEB; Pacheco, AP; Teixeira, JG;

Publicação
Advances in Forest Fire Research 2022

Abstract
Fire is a traditional method used for the elimination of residual materials from agricultural and forestry activities, but its improper and negligent use increases the risk to cause significant social, economic, and environmental impacts. Translating the nature and magnitude of the risk, a mental model approach has been used for a deeper understanding of what can be done to reduce future socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Considering the rural fire risk context, in this study we applied the mental model approach to (1) explore the different perspectives of experts on rural fire risks, focusing on the burning problem, and (2) systematize the aggregated knowledge of experts on the subject. Semi-structured interviews that included real-time interactions with the proposed mental model on the MURAL platform were remotely conducted with twenty-eight experts with in-depth involvement and experience in fire and forest management in Portugal, including actors from industry, academics, third sector, and public entities. The experts' contributions were periodically validated by the research team and included in the reference mental model to translate the aggregated knowledge of the expert community. The data collected was transcribed, coded, and analyzed following a thematic analysis approach with NVivo software support. After nine iterations, the expert's mental model was concluded encompassing the burning motivators, alternative solutions, associated risks before and during the burning, underlying causes, natural elements and factors, and impacts. Overall, the study provides an in-depth and holistic understanding of rural fire risks, focusing on burning, which is essential for identifying incorrect beliefs and existing risk factors that are often neglected. The participatory and dynamic process of actors' knowledge systematization on burning risks through a mental model allowed the identification of divergent perspectives between expert groups, especially concerning the effectiveness of the current legislation on the use of fire, indicating the need to improve the dialogue between experts. Moreover, the study shows how risk communication campaigns do not replace technical monitoring closer to the population and recognize the importance and need of sensitization and communication actions to disseminate the use of available alternatives to overcome traditional habits of rural communities. Still, it indicates that successful alternative solutions of burning may be achieved with strong local and sectoral involvement. Finally, this research provides a baseline to help decision-makers and stakeholders identify the most relevant variables about rural fire risks to build effective risk communications strategies and mitigate social and environmental impacts in the future.

2022

Designing an effective risk communication plan as a tool to reduce the risk associated with traditional burning practices in Portugal

Autores
Souza, MEB; Pacheco, AP; Teixeira, JG; Pereira, JMC;

Publicação
Advances in Forest Fire Research 2022

Abstract
Climate change increases the average temperature and reduces precipitation, leading to an increased risk of rural fires around the world, but mainly in regions with a Mediterranean climate, such as Portugal. Despite the high risk of rural fires, fire is still a traditional land management practice. Beyond fire misused risk, the accumulation of fuel loads, due to the high population dispersion and lower interaction of communities with the land, also drives rural fires risks. Thus, researchers have sought to understand the key features of communication practices to achieve the most desired natural risk management results in relation to rural fires. According to the Committee on Risk Perception and Communication, in 1989, risk communication is defined as “an interactive process of exchanging information and opinions between individuals, groups, and institutions�. However, there is a need for dialogue between the responsible for communication and relevant stakeholders. The Carnegie Mellon mental-models approach encompasses participatory processes to translate the nature and magnitude of the risk, allowing for a deeper understanding of what can be done to mitigate social and environmental impacts in the future. Considering rural fires risks and risk communication challenges, this study aims to design an effective risk communication plan oriented to the rural population, in the context of rural fires. For this objective to be achieved, the mental models approach was developed, exploring the underlying reasons for resistance to behavioral change and defining guidelines to support the design of new risk communication strategies, including the dissemination of new behaviors and practices that mitigate the ignition of rural fires. This systemic approach has been applied and tested in the rePLANT project, whose purpose is the development of research activities, innovation and transfer of knowledge and technology, to increase sustainable forest management, the competitiveness of the Portuguese forestry sector and reduce the impact of rural fires. Preliminary findings show what must be communicated about rural fires risk, how must be communicated, target audiences' profiles, the role of actors for effective risk communication on rural fires, attributes of good risk communication on rural fires, evaluation of the risk communication results. Finally, it is expected that this research provides guidelines to help decision-makers and stakeholders to design an effective risk communication plan oriented to prevent traditional burning practices, as well as to mitigate socioeconomic and environmental impacts in the future. This approach also highlights the importance of exploring the underlying reasons for resistance to behavioral change and defining guidelines to support the design of new risk communication strategies.

2022

Service science in a world flooded with data

Autores
Teixeira, JG; Miguéis, V; Nóvoa, H; Falcão e Cunha, J;

Publicação
Research Handbook on Services Management

Abstract
[No abstract available]

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