Milk-Run Optimization Under Time Windows for Collection and Replacement of Low-Charge E-Scooters

Global population growth has led to increased urbanization, resulting in heightened environmental pollution and significant challenges in transportation systems due to the proliferation of various modes of transport. Micromobility has emerged as a sustainable, crucial, and innovative solution to these issues, offering eco-friendly transportation alternatives. In particular, e-scooters provide a sustainable and enjoyable mode of transport for short distances within cities. Ensuring that e-scooters are regularly and adequately charged is essential for their usability and accessibility. This study aims to address the battery shortage in e-scooters by optimizing the distribution and charging processes at minimal cost. The study employs the milk-run model under time window constraints for the e-scooter battery collection and replacement procedure. The proposed model is applied to a small region in Istanbul as a numerical illustration. Currently, Istanbul hosts an average of 36,000 e-scooters. Therefore, the findings provide a viable solution to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of micromobility services.