OPTIMAL BUNDLING OF ROUTES IN A COURIER MARKETPLACE

摘要

A first delivery job is received and placed into a queue to be auctioned to couriers after a first period of time that is determined based on first delivery constraints of the first job. A second delivery job is received before the first period of time expires. The second job is placed into the queue to be auctioned after a second period of time that is determined based on second delivery constraints of the second job if it is determined that the first and second jobs cannot be performed by a single courier within the delivery constraints of both jobs. The jobs are auctioned to couriers as a single item after a third period of time that is determined based on the delivery constraints of both jobs if the first and second jobs may be performed by a single courier within the delivery constraints of both jobs.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving a first job for delivery of a first package from a first pickup location to a first drop-off location, the first job including first delivery constraints; placing the first job into a queue for a first period of time that is determined based on the first delivery constraints, expiration of the first period of time causing the first job to be listed on an online marketplace for auction to couriers; receiving a second job before the first period of time expires, the second job being for delivery of a second package from a second pickup location to a second drop-off location, the second job including second delivery constraints; based on determining that the first job and the second job cannot be performed cost effectively by a single courier within the delivery constraints of both jobs, placing the second job into the queue for a second period of time that is determined based on the second delivery constraints, expiration of the second period of time causing the second job to be listed on the online marketplace for auction to the couriers; and based on determining that the first and second jobs can be performed cost effectively by a single courier within the delivery constraints of both the first and second jobs, listing the first and second jobs as a single item on the online marketplace for auction to couriers in response to expiration of a third period of time that is determined based on the delivery constraints of both the first and second jobs.