Bridging the gap between fleet operations and EV routing research: Mappost publishes a peer-reviewed publication

We're proud to share that a peer-reviewed paper co-authored by Mappost and the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science (University of Latvia) is now published in MDPI Modelling Journal: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3951/7/5/193

We’ve found a language gap in logistics optimization: fleet operators talk about time windows, charging stops, and delivery costs, while researchers talk about problem formulations and algorithms. This paper builds a bridge between the two.

Using the real requirements for commercial electric vehicle route planning, the paper introduces a framework that describes practical needs and scientific publications in the same terms. It makes it possible to take any operational requirement and trace it directly to the studies and optimization methods that have tackled that exact challenge.

Why is it useful? For Mappost, it tells us which algorithms are the strongest candidates for our EV routing solver – backed by scientific evidence. It also shows where research hasn't yet caught up with real fleet operations, pointing to what should be studied next, like multi-trip and multi-day planning.

And the framework comes with an open-source interactive tool, so it can keep growing as new methods and industry needs emerge.

On 4 July 2024, the IT Competence Centre and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency signed an agreement on the implementation of the project "Information and Communication Competence Centre for Green Product Research", ID No. 1.2.1.2.i.2/1/24/A/CFLA/006.

The project is co-financed by the Recovery Fund under the Operational Programme "Latvia's Recovery and Resilience Mechanism Plan 1.2. Reform and Investment Direction 'Energy Efficiency Improvement' 1.2.1.2.i. Investment 'Increasing Energy Efficiency in Entrepreneurship (including transition to renewable energy technology use in heat supply and research and development activities (including in bioeconomy))' 1.2.1.2.i.2. measure 'Development of Innovative Products and Technologies'.