UAV Delivery in Interdependent Network: A Restoration Priority Model

With recent technological advancements, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has significantly increased, particularly in applications involving goods delivery, such as last-mile logistics and humanitarian relief. However, UAV operations are vulnerable to disruptions due to their reliance on communication signals transmitted from ground-based towers. During disruptive events, these communication towers often sustain damage or collapse, necessitating immediate restoration. In this research, we propose a mathematical model to prioritize the restoration of damaged towers, aiming to minimize overall degradation in system performance. The model uniquely captures the interdependencies between UAV delivery operations and communication infrastructure, addressing a critical gap in the existing literature. Various scenarios were analyzed to evaluate the model. Results demonstrate that restoration priorities should not be determined solely based on the lowest repair cost, as other system-wide factors, such as the impact on UAV delivery operations, play significant roles in determining the optimal restoration sequence.