Drone Distribution Logistics: network design, route planning and scheduling

Abstract

What could a collapsing bridge, Germany’s post-war infrastructure, and the country’s first drone-as-a-service start-up possibly have in common? At first glance, very little. But they’re all part of the same evolving story, one that connects old and new approaches to building resilient, efficient, and sustainable distribution networks.

In this seminar, Professor Lier explore’s how intermodal logistics systems integrating drones with traditional transport modes could transform the future of goods delivery. The last mile remains one of the biggest challenges in logistics, plagued by inefficiency, congestion, and emissions. This research investigates how highly automated, intermodal drone networks could help achieve climate-neutral distribution and improve B2B deliveries in suburban areas.

The proposed system combines micro-hubs, serving as multifunctional drone launch, landing, and package-handling sites, with relay hubs that extend flight range through in-network charging. To design and optimise these networks, we apply DBSCAN clustering to identify potential hub locations based on customer density, facility-location models to select optimal sites, and reinforcement learning algorithms to dynamically plan and schedule routes in real time. Together, these methods create a responsive, sustainable, and scalable model for the future of urban and regional logistics.

Biography

Professor Stefan Lier is Chair of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences. With industry experience at BMW, Audi, ThyssenKrupp and BASF, he bridges academic insight with real-world logistics practice. He serves on the board of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (Roundtable Germany), is Director of the Management Faculty at the Graduate School of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Co-Editor of Management Review Quarterly (Springer).

Stefan holds degrees in industrial engineering from TU Dortmund and Georgia Tech, and a doctorate in engineering from Ruhr University Bochum. His research focuses on flexible production systems, digitalisation (including blockchain), and sustainable logistics solutions such as drone-based distribution networks. He regularly collaborates with industry through applied research, consulting and teaching, and is known for using gamified simulations to bring supply chain management to life in the classroom.