Event Calendar
Past Event
NUTC Seminar Series: "Planning Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (eVTOL)-Based Package Delivery with Community Noise Impact Considerations" | Dr. Bo Sou, University of Illinois Chicago
Northwestern University Transportation Center
4:00 PM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
Planning Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft (eVTOL)-Based Package Delivery with Community Noise Impact Considerations
Dr. Bo Zou
Assistant Professor
University of Illinois Chicago
Abstract
The rapid development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in recent years suggests a potential to use electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) for package delivery in metropolitan areas. While eVTOL manufacturers and logistics service providers have been actively developing prototype eVTOLs and exploring their potentials in the delivery business, a system thinking about the suitability and ways to operate an eVTOL-based package delivery system remains scarce. A key aspect of the system thinking is the noise impact of eVTOL operations on surrounding communities, which affects public acceptance of eVTOL-based delivery.
In this study, we seek to provide an operational planning framework to prepare AAM to be both economically efficient and community friendly for package delivery. We first develop a method to quantify the community noise impact of an eVTOL operation, based on a proposed “community exposure” measure. Then, a bi-objective integer programming model is formulated which simultaneously optimizes total shipping cost and community noise impact of eVTOL-based operations. The optimization takes into account constraints that may arise from eVTOL-based package delivery including maximum distance for local delivery, package delivery time window, and eVTOL fleet size and carrying capacity. A tailored solution algorithm which augments non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm 2 (NSGA2) with guided generation of initial population of solutions and customized local search heuristics is devised. The model and the algorithm are implemented in a case study in the Chicago metro area. Numerical results reveal the trade-off between the minimization of shipping cost and community noise impact. Several operational insights about eVTOL-based package delivery are obtained. The computational efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are also demonstrated in comparison with alternative solution methods.
Bio
Bo Zou is an associate professor in the Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago. He has also been a visiting associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. Prof. Zou’s research interests focus on technology innovations and their use in and impact on transportation systems. Prof. Zou’s research has been funded by a number of agencies including the World Bank, NSF, NASA, USDOT, and DOE. Currently, he is Director for Technology Transfer and Commercialization for the USDOT-funded Center for Freight Transportation for Efficient & Resilient Supply Chain. Prof. Zou serves a number of roles in the transportation community including as an associate editor for Journal of Air Transport Management and Transportation Letters, an editorial board member of Transportation Research Part B/C/E, and editorial board lead of the TRB Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics (AT015) Committee. Prof. Zou received Ph.D. in civil engineering from UC Berkeley, M.S. in transportation engineering and B.E. in civil engineering from Tsinghua University in China, and Diplôme d’Ingénieur from Ecole Centrale Nantes in France.
Time
Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
9:00 AM
//
LR2, Technological Institute
Details
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
Time
Monday, September 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location
LR2, Technological Institute Map
Contact
Calendar
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
NUTC Exec Ed - Freight Transportation & Logistics, Day 1
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
September 22-24, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - September 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on September 22-24 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on Sept. 1)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - SEPTEMBER 2026
Time
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
11:00 AM
//
Ryan Family Auditorium, Technological Institute
Details
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
Time
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location
Ryan Family Auditorium, Technological Institute Map
Contact
Calendar
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
NUTC Exec Ed Freight Transportation & Logistics, Day 2
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
September 22-24, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - SEPT 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on September 22-24 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on Sept 1)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - SEPT 2026
Time
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
NUTC Exec Ed Freight Transportation & Logistics, Day 3
Northwestern University Transportation Center
8:00 AM
//
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION SERIES
Freight Transportation & Logistics:
Resilient Freight Leadership: Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight
September 22-24, 2026
CLICK TO REGISTER - SEPT 2026
Northwestern University Transportation Center’s (NUTC) 2026 Executive Education Freight Transportation & Logistics program, Resilient Freight Leadership - Navigating Recovery, Disruption, and the Future of Moving Freight, will be offered on September 22-24 at NUTC headquarters in Evanston.
Over the last couple of years, the global logistics community has managed challenges across the first, middle, and final mile. The ongoing global turbulence associated with war-related disruptions and complex tariff policies in the supply of various commodities, labor recruitment challenges, and inflation have continued to pressure supply chains and increase volatility on both the demand and supply sides. Even with a gradual recovery from the “freight recession,” other economic and operational uncertainties will continue to impact the freight transportation system across every mode and across all geographies. In this essential three-day Executive Education program, Northwestern faculty and industry experts will provide fundamental knowledge and practical insights for managing through these challenges and beyond.
NUTC’s Freight Transportation & Logistics three-day Executive Education program has a proven track record of delivering current and forward-looking insight and actionable knowledge into North American/global transportation and supply chains. From domestic transportation (intermodal, parcel and last mile delivery, rail, third-party logistics, trucking, warehousing), to international transportation (air cargo, ocean shipping, ports, sourcing), the program provides an unmatched view into how freight moves. Attendees will get a first-hand look at domestic and international logistics and supply chain trends and learn how to leverage freight management technology and data analytics for greater efficiency and resilience. This program is specifically designed for early- to mid-level transportation managers, at both carriers and shippers, to deepen their overall knowledge of the freight transportation ecosystem.
Program content will be thoroughly integrated by our instructors, so that participants will gain a comprehensive understanding and view of both domestic and international transportation sectors. The program is interactive in nature and will provide many opportunities for discussions with faculty and fellow participants. Prior knowledge and experience in logistics, transportation and supply chain management will be useful, but is not a prerequisite.
INSTRUCTORS
Mark Baxa - President and CEO, CSCMP
Mike Burton – CEO, MEDLOG
Eric Jakubowski - Rail consultant
Shawn McWhorter - President (Americas Region), Nippon Cargo Airlines
Marty O'Hara - CenterPoint Properties, VP Strategic Projects & Planning
Chris Pickett - Chief Operating Officer, Flock Freight
Steven Rothberg - Founding Partner, Mercator International
Ian Savage - Associate Chair and Professor of Instruction in Economics, Northwestern
Joseph L. Schofer - Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern
Bill Seliger - Director, Amazon Delivery Central Operations, Amazon
Dana Thompson - Transportation and Logistics Strategy Consultant, Timothy L Jones & Associates
Jan Van Mieghem - A.C. Buehler Professor & Deputy Dean, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Justin Zubrod - Managing Partner, Justin Zubrod & Co.
TOPICS
Freight Transportation & Logistics Trends
Data Science & Transportation Analytics
Managing Under Uncertainty
Global Sourcing (On / Near-Shoring) Strategy
Freight & Logistics Operations:
> Air Cargo
> Intermodal
> Ocean Shipping and Ports
> Rail
> Trucking
> 3PL/4PL, Brokerage, Warehouse
Package / Parcel Shipping & Last-Mile Services
Freight Performance Measurement
Transportation Pricing & Costs
Future of Freight Technology and Trends
REGISTRATION
Registration includes attendee tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch and a welcome reception.
For group rates, please contact Bret Johnson.
General Registration (early bird $2500) (increase to $3,000 on Sept 1)
Business Advisory Council Company Employees ($2,200)
Look up Business Advisory Council companies
Government & Academic Professionals ($2,300)
CLICK TO REGISTER - SEPT 2026
Time
Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center