Pickup Hub Location Problem with Prospective Customers in Rural Area: A Case Study

Authors

  • Yanjie Zhou School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
  • Liping Luo School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
  • Yongsheng Wang Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, China National Tobacco Corporation, Zhengzhou, China
  • Xuehao Feng Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
  • Zhihong Huang School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
  • Weihua Feng Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute, China National Tobacco Corporation, Zhengzhou, China
  • Lei Pang China Tobacco E-commerce and Logistics Co, Ltd., Beijing, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2025.32.4.10231

Keywords:

Mathematical modeling, fractional programming, pickup hub, equity, Dinkelbach’s algorithm

Abstract

This paper addresses the pickup hub location problem in rural areas, considering dynamic changes in prospective customers and optimizing equity. The problem involves selecting optimal pickup hub locations from candidate hubs while minimizing transportation costs, measured as the distance between a set of determined customers and pickup hubs. A nonlinear fractional integer programming model is developed to formulate the problem. A scenario-based Dinkelbach’s algorithm combined with a mathematical reformulation approach is proposed to solve the problem efficiently. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a case study on the location selection of smart cigarette delivery lockers. The results highlight the method’s ability to balance equity, offering a practical solution for logistics planning in rural areas. The key contributions of this study are: (1) a novel pickup hub location model that accounts for dynamic customer changes and (2) validation of the approach through a real-world case study, showcasing its applicability and effectiveness.

Published

2025-08-11

How to Cite

Zhou, Y., Luo, L., Wang, Y., Feng, X., Huang, Z., Feng, W., & Pang, L. (2025). Pickup Hub Location Problem with Prospective Customers in Rural Area: A Case Study. International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory, Applications and Practice, 32(4). https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2025.32.4.10231

Issue

Section

Logistics and Material Handling