A dynamic and reactive routing protocol for the physical internet network

Abstract

The Physical Internet (PI) offers an innovative approach to logistics networks, focussing on operational, digital, and physical interconnectivity through encapsulation, interfaces, and protocols. However, PI network can be complex to manage due to its dynamic structure and the need for routing protocols that adapt to continually evolving circumstances. This paper proposes a dynamic and reactive routing protocol for a PI sub-network, leveraging well-known Internet techniques, namely ‘Route Request’ and ‘Route Reply’. The objective is to enable dynamic, self-starting, multi-hop routing among nodes, ensuring continuous connectivity even amidst network disruptions. Moreover, the protocol incorporates reactive assignment algorithms to address disruptions, such as product shortages and resource unavailability. Additionally, the protocol is innovative in considering each container and resource's preferences and local knowledge of the system's known state. To include preferences in decision-making, we incorporate the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and goal programming. Finally, we use multi-agent simulation and real order data from two major French retail chains to evaluate the protocol's performance. Results showed improved routing robustness and efficiency amidst disruptions compared to state-of-the-art methods. Various scenarios have been examined to yield promising insights for future research and practical applications in the realm of the PI.

Keywords:

• Logistics network
• interconnected networks
• physical internet
• routing protocols
• disruptions
• multi-agent simulation

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Physical Internet Chair and its partners (GS1, Orange, Geodis, Procter & Gamble) for supporting this research project.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this research is confidential.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Fatima Ezzahra Achamrah

Fatima-Ezzahra Achamrah is a researcher at the Centre for Management Science of Mines Paris -- PSL, with a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Paris Saclay University, CentraleSupelec. Her research interests include flow and disruption management in cyber-physical networks, such as Physical Internet, and optimisation and simulation of logistics and production systems.

Mariam Lafkihi

Mariam Lafkihi is a Tenure Track faculty member working in the field of industrial engineering and supply chain management at Centre for Management Science of MINES Paris -- PSL, France. Her research focuses on global supply chain management, transport system pooling, and collaboration among logistics stakeholders.

Eric Ballot

Eric Ballot is Full Professor of industrial engineering and supply chain management in the Centre for Management Science of MINES Paris -- PSL, France. He is a visiting Professor at Hong Kong University and was visiting at MIT in 2007. He is the past director of the Scientific Management Lab, the leader of ‘Industrie Responsable’ project for Carnot MINES.