Integrated Passenger-Freight Transportation Model: Metro of Quito (Ecuador) as a Case Study

This paper explores the potential of a collaborative passenger and freight transportation system as a sustainable option for urban logistics. A novel multi-objective optimization model is proposed for packages delivery services using the capacity of a mass public passenger transport network, considering the Quito Metro (Ecuador) as a study case, in which metro stations are used to pick up and deliver packages. This would be a new efficient model for mixed distribution for last mile delivery. The model considers several objectives linked to the interests of different stakeholders: cargo transport costs, delivery times and the passenger service level. The integration of freight and passenger transportation will promote greater efficiency in the passenger transport network, reducing the number of commercial fossil fuel vehicles that circulate exclusively for freight transport within the city limits, and will improve life conditions in metropolitan areas. In this study, a mixed linear integer multi-objective programming model is proposed to represent this problem of joint transportation of passengers and packages, including some criteria and restrictions that represent real rules of operation and business. Finally, to solve the proposed model, a genetic algorithm based on the well-known NSGA-II is implemented for a real world case study of the metro of Quito for validation.