How Urban Morphology Is Associated with Simulated Drone Logistics Network Costs

Location Simulation Evidence from 101 Chinese Cities

Bibliographic Data

ID22032471
AuthorsWeiwu Wang (0000-0002-5232-1194, Zhejiang University), W B Wang (Zhejiang University, corresponding author), Zhaoyang Teng (Zhejiang University), Zihao Guo (0000-0001-9940-3157, Zhejiang University), Jie He (0000-0002-4324-1125, Zhejiang University)
Year2026
Volume15
Issue6
Pages249
Publication date2026-06-03
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2220-9964 • E-ISSN: 2220-9964
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/ijgi15060249
OpenAlexW7163417077
LanguageEN
References cited38

Low-altitude logistics is increasingly considered a promising solution for urban last-mile delivery, yet how urban morphology is associated with the simulated cost of drone logistics networks across cities remains unclear. This study examines model-based relationships between urban spatial form and the cost performance of drone logistics networks under unified simulation assumptions. A multi-tier facility location model is developed and applied to 101 Chinese cities, with simulated annealing used to obtain cost-minimizing configurations of drone take-off and landing facilities. An XGBoost model with SHAP analysis is employed to interpret nonlinear associations and interaction patterns between urban morphology indicators and simulated network cost, while K-means clustering is used to identify representative morphology–cost patterns. The results show that built-up area and landscape shape index are the most influential predictors in the adopted modeling setting, both exhibiting threshold-like sensitivity ranges. Simulated network costs increase more rapidly when built-up area exceeds approximately 1000 km2 and when landscape shape index falls within 5–15, with a notable interaction between them. Three morphology–cost types are further identified, reflecting systematic differences in simulated network organization. These findings provide simulation-derived evidence for morphology-sensitive planning of low-altitude logistics infrastructure, while actual deployment decisions still require calibration with local demand, operational, regulatory, and airspace conditions

Calibration · Cluster analysis · Drone · Flow network · Simulated annealing · Software deployment · Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends · Facility Location and Emergency Management · UAV Applications and Optimization

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access