A Solution to Drone Routing Problems using Docking Stations for Pickup and Delivery Services

The paper proposes a mathematical model and a heuristic solution for planning optimal pickup and delivery routes in drone operations. In the proposed system, the drone is synchronized with the docking station for a charge during pickup and delivery services within a definite set distance radius. The optimization model presented here minimizes the distance traveled by the drone to complete the scheduled services. It also ensures the optimal use of the drone’s battery capacity, ensuring the safe return of the drone without running out of battery during operations. The solution quality and the computational performance of the Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model proved satisfactory in addressing a variety of problems. A real-world case study is conducted to enumerate the practical implications which will be of benefit to drone service providers in the field of logistics.