KikloRoi

 KikloRoi © by Dico Cristo . Athens 2017

3.1 ) Original map. Blue colour. 

cristodico@yahoo.com 

We suppose a city which can be covered by a hexagonal map. The map is blue and its 6 edges are named T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 respectively. The perimeter of the map is 18km. The route in a straight line between neighboring peaks is 3 km.

Logical jump NO 1. The distributor is obliged to follow a circular course

For example, starting from T1 position T1 >> T2 >> T3 >> T4 >> T5 >> T6 >> and returning to T1. A distributor with a motorbike and a maximum speed of 40 km per hour with 48 stops will travel about 18 km. This process (that is, our distributor), moving in a circle can be considered absurd. All distributors so far, try to move in straight paths.

The time it takes to get through each point and return to T1 depends on where he needs to get the parcel from and where he must deliver it. According to this, his times will be:

We observe that in the worst possible case, the delivery time is 2 hours. The average delivery time is 1 hour.

The best time he can do is less than 10 minutes, in case the first pick-up is from T1 + to T2.

The worst time he can do is between 110 to 120 minutes, in case the pickup is made from T1- to T2-.

What is the worst case scenario for a distributor? The distributor being in T1, should receive from T4 and then return to T1.

Time ASC T1 >> T4 >> T1 (TIME 20 MINUTES) DISTANCE 2 * 2R where R is the distance from the center

Time TurtCurier T1 >> T2 >> T3 >> T4 >> T5 >> T6 >> T1 (TIME 60 MINUTES) DISTANCE p * 2R where R is the distance from the center

We notice that the distributor of TurtCurier, travels a greater distance and makes 3X TIME!! Reinforcing the view that this solution doesn’t make sense.

Fortunately it is so absurd that no one so far has bothered to analyze it to the end, which is something we will do.

We saw the difference with only one package. Below we will see what happens in an 8 hour shift

3.2) Example and comparison between TurtCurier - "X" courier with an 8 hour shift distributor

Our map is divided into 6 sections, with the names A, B, C, D, F, E so that we can track where the distributor should receive the parcel and to which point he should deliver.

The test was performed on a map in Athens, which approximated the shape of our map in shape and area.

A random number generator was used to see the points on the map that the distributor had to go to, and then the TurtCurier method was tested, followed by the "X" courier method.

Notes:

A. In any case, placing a distribution company with its headquarters on the center of the map, delivers as fast as possible.

B. Essentially in our example, a distributor should be present during the eight hours at 48 points - 24 to receive and 24 to deliver

C. However, courier companies do not work that way. They usually carry the parcels to their headquarters and deliver them (approximately 70 parcels per distributor) the next day.

D. The 48 points are where a distributor can go, that is, dropping orders at a steady pace.

E. Examined in the above case, all orders through TurtCurier are delivered as late as possible. TurtCurier has only one advantage, that it can deliver at a specific time, regardless of previous or subsequent deliveries that occur in the system.

F. The actual time of the distributor is almost the same as the one predicted in theory.

 

3.3) Two areas - blue and pink

We added a second region adjacent to the first, at points (T2P1) and (T3P6)

Each area also has one distributor.

Reasonable jump NO 2. My distributors must meet once per cycle.

The blue  and pink map distributors start from (T2P1) and make their circle.

For every 4 (average) parcels they receive from their map, two of them should be delivered to the other map. When they meet, with the distributor of the other map, they give him these parcels and take, what is to be delivered to their own (map).

The parcels received by the pink distributor, for the blue map, in the worst case will take 1 hour to stay on the pink map and 1 hour, to be delivered to the blue map (the same happens upside down due to symmetry).

Notes:

A. TurtCurier can deliver parcels, between two maps, in maximum time of 120 minutes, which is the same as the maximum time for delivery, in only 1 map.

B. Generally, all courier companies do not offer this service. They collect the deliveries of the other map in bulk, and send them to the distribution center at night to be delivered the next day.

3.4) Three areas - blue, green and pink

We added a third area that is adjacent to the other two, at the point (T2P1P4)

Each area also has a distributor.

My distributors must meet once per cycle.

The distributors of the blue, green and pink map all start from (T2P1p4) and make their circle.

For every 6 parcels (on average) they receive from their map, 4 should be delivered to the other maps, 2 in each one. When they meet with the distributor of the other map, they give him these parcels and take what is to be delivered to their own.

The packages received by the pink distributor, for the blue map and green map, in the worst case, will take 1 hour to stay on the pink map and 1 hour to be delivered in the blue or green map (the same happens if we start with blue or green due to symmetry).

Notes:

A. TurtCurier can deliver parcels between three maps, at a maximun time of 120 minutes, which is the same as the maximum delivery time, on 2 maps or only on 1 map.

B. Generally, all courier companies do not offer this service. They collect the deliveries of the other maps in bulk, and send them to the distribution center at night to be delivered the next day.

3.5) Four areas - blue, green, yellow and pink

TIME to get things interesting

We also added a fourth area, which is adjacent to the blue and green at the point (T1KE1P45).

Each area also has a distributor.

My distributors must meet once per cycle. But yellow is impossible to meet with pink. Where should yellow start?

The distributors of the blue, green and pink map start from (T2P1P4) and make their circle. The yellow starts from K6 and makes its circle. It will meet in K2P6 with the green and in K4T6 with the blue one.

For every 8 parcels (on average) they receive from their map, 6 will have to be delivered to the other maps, 2 in each one. When they meet with the distributor of the other map, they give him these parcels and take what needs to be delivered to their own.

The packages received by the pink distributor, for the blue and green map, in the worst case, will take 1 hour to stay on the pink map and 1 hour to be delivered in blue or green (the same happens if we start with blue or green, due to symmetry).

The parcels he received by the yellow distributor for the blue and green map, will take a maximum of 120 minutes to be delivered, while the parcels for the pink map will take a maximum of 140 minutes. The same goes for the pink packs for the yellow distributor.

We notice that the parcels from B-C yellow to E-F green take almost 120 minutes, while they are next to the map. Can I do something about it? Should I try to send the parcels through the blue distributor for the green?

Notes:

1. We reduced the time, in 4 routes, (with the orange on the table) by one hour in each, by changing 3 distributors and 3 maps

2. The asymmetry of the solutions makes us suspect that there are better solutions.

3. When the parcel changes more maps, the delivery time may be reduced.

4. The total routes are 432.

5 TurtCurier can deliver parcels between 4 maps, for 426 of the 432 routes, at a maximum time of 120 minutes, which is the same as the maximum time for delivery, on 2 or 3 maps or on just a single map.

6. For the remaining 6 routes, the maximum time is increased by 20 minutes.

7. Generally, all courier companies do not offer this service. They collect the deliveries of the other maps in bulk and send them to the distribution center at night, to be delivered the next day.

3.6) Seven areas - blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, brown and red

There are seven areas. Each area also has one distributor.

My distributors must meet once per cycle.

 Where should they start from?

Some history

Where do distributors meet (at which points)?

Notes:

1. Meetings are held every 20 minutes.

2. Only blue has meetings every 20 minutes, ALWAYS with 2 others at the same time.

3. Everyone else has meetings 2 times per hour.

Let's see how long it takes for a parcel starting from the yellow map to go anywhere on the other maps. This will be the longest time it takes for a parcel until we pick it up and travel, due to the point where the yellow distributor starts.

In the worst case scenario, which is pick-up from yellow E and delivery to red E, we need less than 200 minutes.

3.7) Conclusions-advantages, for distribution with only 1 distributor per map

TurtCurier implements a system which is indifferent for the system itself, the time it will take for the customer to place his order. Its distributor is always at the same time, in specific parts of the map.

A. A great advantage of TurtCurier is that at the very moment the customer requests, the distributor comes to pick up a parcel, from anywhere on the map, he can know exactly what time the receipt and delivery will take place.

For example: The customer is on the yellow map, area C, and wants delivery, on the red map on area D. The TurtCurier distributor will pick up the parcel in 35 minutes (+ -5 minutes) and deliver it after 80 minutes (+ -5 minutes).

NO company at the moment can do this, universally for all its customers.

B. TurtCurier, not only can do this, but also its operating cost is 40% less !!! because it uses less infrastructure and staff.

In this example, TurtCurier needs 7 distributors and 1 employee, when “X” courier would need 7 distributors and 8 employees.

C. All orders at the end of the day have been delivered, unlike “X” courier where 70% will be delivered the next day.

D. Parcels are always moving towards their destination. They do not stay in vain somewhere.

E. Whoever touches a parcel is a distributor.

3.8) More distributors

What if the workload is larger and we need another distributor per map?

First, let's look at the times, if the distributor leaves from another part of the map.

Combining the routes, we see that by selecting two distributors, moving in opposite directions from opposite points, all distributions are executed in less than 60 minutes. The average time now drops to 30 minutes.

Combining the routes, selecting 2 distributors, moving in opposite directions from opposite points, at points T1 and T4, all distributions are performed in less than 35 minutes. The average time now drops to 18 minutes.

Let's now compare TurtCurier, with the “X” courier on a map, where in 8 hours we have to pick up and deliver 144 parcels, so the distributors have to stop 288 times. We need 4 distributors. The example is for the first 120 minutes.

Notes:

A. In any case, having in the center of the map a distribution company with its headquarters, delivers as fast as possible (BUT only on one map).

B. Essentially in our example, a distributor should be present during his eight hour shift at 72 points, 36 to receive and 36 to deliver.

C. But courier companies do not work that way. They usually carry the parcels to their headquarters and deliver them (approximately 70 parcels per distributor) on the next day.

D. The 72 points are the points where a distributor can go, in the maximum of cases in a courier company. The way TurtCurier distributes, in theory, allows its distributor to stop at 100 points. We use the extra points for stops at specific times when the map is growing.

 

E. In the above case examined, some orders through TurtCurier are delivered faster. TurtCurier also has another advantage, that it can deliver at a specific time, regardless of previous or subsequent deliveries that occur in the system.

F. The actual time of the distributor is almost the same as the one we predict in theory.

G. If we add another map, all orders that have to be delivered on the other map can only be delivered through TurtCurier, in less than 60 minutes, which seems inconceivable in the way companies work today.

3.9) Three areas - blue, green and pink, 12 distributors.

We added a third area that is adjacent to the other 2 at the point (T2P1P4)

Each area has 4 distributors.

 My distributors must meet once per cycle. SO, TWO OF THEM START FROM EACH MAP ON T2P1P4. THAT IS, 6 PEOPLE BEING AT THE BEGINNING.

The 6 distributors of the blue, green and pink map start from (T2P1P4) and make their circle, As well as 2 in the blue at T5, 2 in the pink at P4, and 2 in the green at P1). Delivery times compared to the example we gave with one distributor per map, are dramatically improved.

For every 6 parcels (on average) they receive from their map, 4 should be delivered to other maps, 2 in each one. When they meet with the distributor of the other map, they give him these parcels and take what needs to be delivered to their own. In total, TurtCurier will deliver 432 parcels, 144 per map. The distributors will receive 144 parcels on their map, 48 of which will be delivered on their map and 96 to the neighbors.

The packages received by the pink distributor, for the blue and green map, in the worst case scenario, will take 30 minutes to stay on the pink map and 30 minutes to be delivered in blue or green (the same is true if we start with blue or green, due to symmetry).

See the difference with 1 distributor.

Notes:

1. TurtCurier can deliver parcels between three maps, at a maximum time of 60 minutes, which is the same as the maximum delivery time, on 2 maps or on only 1 map.

2. “X” courier and generally all courier companies do not offer this service. They collect the deliveries of the other maps in bulk, and send them to the distribution center at night to be delivered the next day.

3.9) Application in Athens

To cover the whole Attica region, we need to divide it into 20 parts.

We will need a total of 60 distributors. The central sector, which needs to handle the most parcels is No. 1 and there we will need 8 distributors.

There will be only one central warehouse, at point 1,3,4. The headquarters of the company will be there, with the computer department. There will be collected the parcels that are to be delivered in places outside of Attica region and respectively, what comes to be delivered to Attica.

The company staff will have a strict ratio of 5 to 1. For every 5 distributors there will be 1 other employee.

So, the company will have a total of 72 employees. 60 distributors and 12 administrative and other staff.

Notes:

1. TurtCurier can deliver parcels between 20 maps, that is throughout Attica in a maximum time of 240 minutes (time that the parcel needs to travel from the one end of Attica to the other (e.g. Kinetta - Sounio).

2. “X” courier and generally all courier companies do not offer this service. They collect the deliveries of the other maps in bulk and send them to the distribution center at night, to be delivered the next day.

3. Assuming that each distributor delivers 60 parcels per day, with a collection of 5€  per parcel, we have revenues of 18,000€  per day and approximately 400,000€  per month. With a staff cost of 40% (i.e. a cost of € 2580 per employee) and 20% for operating costs, we can expect a profit of 160,000€  per month.

4. The cost charged by  courier companies is 7 €, for next-day delivery. At this price a discount is offered, which reaches up to 70% for companies. Respectively for same-day delivery, the cost is 10 € with the corresponding discounts.

cristodico@gmail.com

Summary

The cyclic flow method is an innovative package distribution system. Its main characteristics are:

1. Division of the service area into hexagonal "maps".
2. Each map has one or more couriers moving in circular predetermined routes.
3. Couriers meet at specific points to exchange packages between adjacent maps.
4. The system allows for accurate prediction of pickup and delivery times.
5. It can serve large areas (e.g., all of Attica) with relatively few couriers.

The main advantages of the method are:

1. Faster delivery compared to conventional methods, especially for deliveries between different areas.
2. Possibility for same-day deliveries over a large geographical area.
3. Reduced operational costs due to more efficient use of personnel.
4. Accurate prediction of delivery times, allowing for better planning.
5. Continuous movement of packages towards their destination, without unnecessary stops.

The method is proposed as more efficient than existing courier company practices, especially for same-day deliveries and between different areas. Its application in Attica is estimated to be able to serve the entire area with 60 couriers, offering deliveries within a maximum time of 4 hours, even for the most remote areas.

The impact of experience on courier efficiency in the cyclic flow system

The cyclic flow method, beyond the aforementioned advantages, presents particular interest regarding the development and utilization of courier experience. The trials conducted revealed a unique learning curve, which differs from usual patterns and offers significant benefits to the system's efficiency.

1. Unique learning curve: Unlike the typical learning curve, couriers in the cyclic flow system show a three-phase improvement: a) Initial rapid improvement b) Period of deceleration c) Second phase of rapid improvement. This pattern suggests that the cyclic flow system offers continuous opportunities for improvement and skill development, even after the initial learning phase.
2. Process automation: The repetitive nature of routes in cyclic flow allows couriers to quickly automate many aspects of their work, increasing speed and accuracy.
3. Route optimization: With experience, couriers learn to optimize their routes within the predetermined cycle, reducing time between deliveries.
4. Effective time management: The constant nature of routes allows couriers to develop excellent time management skills, maximizing their efficiency.
5. Improvement in problem-solving: Repeated exposure to similar situations allows couriers to develop advanced problem-solving skills, especially for issues related to their specific area.
6. Specialized area knowledge: Couriers acquire deep knowledge of their area, allowing them to predict and address potential challenges before they arise.
7. Improved customer communication: Regular contact with the same customers allows for the development of strong relationships and improved communication, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
8. Adaptability to changes: Despite the repetitive nature of the work, cyclic flow couriers develop high adaptability to daily changes and challenges.

Additional advantages of the cyclic flow system:

9. Consistent and reduced kilometers: A significant advantage of the cyclic flow system is that the kilometers traveled by each courier are consistent and fewer per shift compared to the traditional delivery method. This has multiple benefits:
• Reduced fuel costs and vehicle maintenance
• Less courier fatigue
• Better planning and prediction of delivery times
• Reduced environmental footprint
10. Continuous performance improvement: The unique learning curve observed suggests that there is a continuous potential for performance improvement, even after a long period. This can lead to:
• Continuous increase in system efficiency
• Higher employee satisfaction due to continuous development
• Potential for innovations and improvements coming from the couriers themselves

In conclusion, the cyclic flow system not only offers the initial advantages mentioned but also presents unique characteristics regarding the development and utilization of courier experience. This, combined with the consistent and reduced kilometers per shift, makes the cyclic flow system a particularly efficient and sustainable solution for package delivery..