Question
You are helping to design the logistics for a new online pharmacy. The company plans to deliver prescriptions directly to customers from their store at the center of a square region. Based on market research they believe there will be about 400 customers who want service during their 8 hours of operation each day, evenly distributed through the region. The company is considering 2 and 4 hour time windows, and would like to understand the cost implications of each. Assume the driver can average 25 miles/hour and requires at most 10 minutes stopping time to visit each customer. Assume the area is square with sides of 10 miles.
Calculate the number of drivers required if the company offers
1) Day of delivery or an 8-hour time window,
2) Morning and afternoon, or 4-hour time windows, and
3) 2-hour time windows.