3. Metodology
The research is conducted through the following steps. First, based on the literature analysis we identify a set of
operational variables that are likely to influence the number of stops for a vehicle delivering goods in urban areas.
Then an exploratory data analysis is completed and finally, after assuming that the number of stops is the response
variable, a linear regression analysis is performed to understand the relationships between the management of the
pickup and delivery service, and the productivity of the LSP.