Purolator
About The Fund
Purolator-sponsored “Data Intelligence for Logistics” research chair at Université de Montréal is a 5-year NSERC Collaborative Research and Development project
The Data Intelligence for Logistics chair focuses on five areas:
City Logistics
This area focuses on the design, planning, and operations of First Mile/Last Mile distribution, in particular in downtown areas.
National/Regional Distribution Network Planning
This area is dedicated to the development of optimization models for planning national/regional distribution networks by integrating decisions related to hub locations and inter-hub multi-modal (air-truck) transportation.
Supply Chain Optimization
This area is concerned with the best ways to synchronize supply with demand by studying the market and how demand can be met as efficiently as possible using various types of services that can be offered through innovative logistics concepts.
Impact of New Technologies on Network Optimization
In this area, we study the impact of new technologies on express package delivery services. New technologies include the deployment of sensors and the availability of innovative vehicles, such as autonomous shuttles and drones.
Distribution Networks for the New Economy
This area emphasizes the development of models for designing and managing collaborative platforms to improve the company’s logistics.
Studies and Outcomes
Optimization of Terminal Locations and Operations
Optimizing the location and operations of terminals to improve efficiency, profitability, and decision-making.
Location of Mobile Terminals: Analyzing scenarios to determine the conversion of hubs into terminals and the profitability of opening and closing mobile terminals.
Purolator Fleet Predictive Maintenance: Developing a proactive and preventive fleet maintenance management system by defining maintenance policies and characteristics, inventory policies, and testing the model using simulation.
Efficient Delivery through Underground Pedestrian Network
Sustainable and Efficient Parcel Delivery in Urban Areas: Substituting truck delivery with foot delivery.
Underground Pedestrian Network: Operating the downtown Montreal underground network for parcel delivery and substituting three delivery trucks, resulting in cost reduction and reduced CO2 emissions.
Optimization of Delivery Modes and Service Points
Sustainable and Cost-Effective Parcel Delivery Solutions: Optimizing the use of electric and fuel-powered delivery modes to reduce delivery costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Optimization of Parcel Delivery Modes: Optimizing the use of electric and fuel-powered delivery modes in different regions of Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver) to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Service Point Location Problem: Deciding on the locations and capacities of service points (parcel lockers, PackRobots, stores) based on customer preferences for home delivery or pick-up service, with the goal of maximizing profit.
Leadership
Dr. Elkafi Hassini
McMaster University
Associate Dean of Research, DeGroote School of Business
Dr. Matthew Roorda
University of Toronto
Canada Research Chair in Freight Transportation and Logistics | Professor, Civil & Mineral Engineering
In Memoriam
Professor Bernard Gendron was the inaugural chairholder of Purolator-chair on Data Intelligence for Logistics
Bernard Gendron, Professor Université de Montréal DIRO, made significant contribution to the field of operations research and transportation science. Bernard was an expert in network design models, relaxation and decomposition methods, and constraint programming. He served as the Director of CIRRELT, a Interuniversity Research Centre and has been a Visiting Professor at MIT and EPFL, among other Universities.
Professor Bernard was an active member of INFORMS and served as the Chair of the Section on Transportation Science & Logistics of INFORMS.