prof. dr. ir. N.A.H. (Niels) Agatz

Niels Agatz
Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Member ERIM
Field: Logistics & Information Systems
Affiliated since 2004

Niels Agatz is Professor of Last-mile Supply Chain Analytics at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and Scientific Director of TKI Dinalog, a national institute that co-funds research programs. His research focuses on improving last-mile supply chains through analytics, with a particular interest in technology and sustainability in urban logistics, shared mobility, and online (grocery) retailing. Professor Agatz actively collaborates with business stakeholders, bridging the gap between academia and industry. His research has been published in leading academic journals and featured in national and international media. He currently serves as an Area Editor for Transportation Science. Niels Agatz's work has been recognized through grants and awards, including the NWO Rubicon Grant and the INFORMS TSL Stella Dafermos Achievement Award. He teaches courses on distribution networks, management science, and decision making. His academic background includes an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology and a PhD in Logistics and Operations Management from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University. He has also held visiting positions at the School of Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Department of Transportation and Logistics Engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Publications

Article (37)

  • Academic (31)

    • Visser, T. R., Agatz, N., & Spliet, R. (2024). Managing Concurrent Interactions in Online Time Slot Booking Systems for Attended Home Delivery. Transportation Science, 58(5), 1056-1075. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0445

    • Arslan, A., Agatz, N., & Srour, F. J. (2024). Model formulations for pickup and delivery problems in designated driver services. Computers and Operations Research, 164, Article 106547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2024.106547

    • Agatz, N., Cho, S. H., Sun, H., & Wang, H. (2024). Transportation-Enabled Services: Concept, Framework, and Research Opportunities. Service Science, 16(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1287/serv.2024.0116

    • van der Hagen, L., Agatz, N., Spliet, R., Visser, T. R., & Kok, A. L. (2024). Machine Learning-Based Feasibility Checks for Dynamic Time Slot Management. Transportation Science, 58(1), 94-109. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.1183

    • Azadeh, S. S., Spliet, R., Agatz, N., & Savelsbergh, M. (2023). Special Issue on 2021 TSL Workshop: Supply and Demand Interplay in Transport and Logistics. Transportation Science, 57(6), 1404-1405. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2023.intro.v57.n6

    • Bhoopalam, A. K., van den Berg, R., Agatz, N., & Chorus, C. G. (2023). The long road to automated trucking: Insights from driver focus groups. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 156, Article 104351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2023.104351

    • Waßmuth, K., Köhler, C., Agatz, N., & Fleischmann, M. (2023). Demand Management for Attended Home Delivery – A Literature Review. European Journal of Operational Research, 311(3), 801-815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2023.01.056

    • Bhoopalam, A. K., Agatz, N., & Zuidwijk, R. (2023). Platoon Optimization Based on Truck Pairs. INFORMS Journal on Computing, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2020.0302

    • Azcuy, I., Agatz, N., & Giesen, R. (2021). Designing integrated urban delivery systems using public transport. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 156, Article 102525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2021.102525

    • Arslan, A. M., Agatz, N., & Klapp, M. A. (2021). Operational strategies for on-demand personal shopper services. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 130, Article 103320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2021.103320

    • Agatz, N., Fan, Y., & Stam, D. (2021). The impact of green labels on time slot choice and operational sustainability. Production and Operations Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13368

    • Rasini, M., Agatz, N., & Tappia, E. (2020). Anticipatory Shipment for Pickup Point Supply. Omega, 93, 1-11. Article 102089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2019.07.005

    • Agatz, N., Hewitt, M., & Thomas, BW. (2020). “Make no little plans”: Impactful research to solve the next generation of transportation problems. Networks, 77(2), 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1002/net.22002

    • Paul, J., Agatz, N., & Savelsbergh, M. (2019). Optimizing Omni-Channel Fulfillment with Store Transfers. Transportation Research. Part B, Methodological, 129, 381-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2019.10.002

    • Paul, J., Agatz, N., Spliet, R., & Koster, R. (2019). Shared Capacity Routing Problem ? An omni-channel retail study. European Journal of Operational Research, 273(2), 731-739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2018.08.027

    • Arslan, A., Agatz, N., Kroon, LG., & Zuidwijk, R. (2019). Crowdsourced Delivery -- A Dynamic Pickup and Delivery Problem with Ad-Hoc Drivers. Transportation Science, 53(1), 222-235. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2017.0803

    • Bouman, P., Agatz, N., & Schmidt, M. (2018). Dynamic Programming Approaches for the Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone. Networks, 72(4), 528-542. https://doi.org/10.1002/net.21864

    • Agatz, N., Bouman, P., & Schmidt, M. (2018). Optimization Approaches for the Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone. Transportation Science, 52(4), 965-981. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2017.0791

    • Wang, X., Agatz, N., & Erera, A. (2018). Stable Matching for Dynamic Ride-Sharing Systems. Transportation Science, 52(4), 850-867. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2017.0768

    • Stiglic, M., Agatz, N., Savelsbergh, M., & Gradisar, M. (2018). Enhancing Urban Mobility: Integrating Ride-sharing and Public Transit. Computers and Operations Research, 90, 12-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2017.08.016

    • Otto, A., Agatz, N., Campbell, J., Golden, B., & Pesch, E. (2018). Optimization approaches for civil applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aerial drones: A survey. Networks, 72(4), 411-458. https://doi.org/10.1002/net.21818

    • Bhoopalam, A., Agatz, N., & Zuidwijk, R. (2017). Planning of truck platoons: A literature review and directions for future research. Transportation Research. Part B, Methodological, 107(January), 212-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2017.10.016

    • Srour, FJ., Agatz, N., & Oppen, J. (2016). Strategies for Handling Temporal Uncertainty in Pickup and Delivery Problems with Time Windows. Transportation Science, 52(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2015.0658

    • Stiglic, M., Agatz, N., Savelsbergh, M., & Gradisar, M. (2016). Making Dynamic Ride-sharing Work: The Impact of Driver and Rider Flexibility. Transportation Research. Part E, The Logistics and Transportation Review, 91, 190-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2016.04.010

    • Stiglic, M., Agatz, N., Savelsbergh, M., & Gradisar, M. (2015). The Benefits of Meeting Points in Ride-Sharing Systems. Transportation Research. Part B, Methodological, 82, 36-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2015.07.025

    • Agatz, N., Campbell, AM., Fleischmann, M., van Nunen, JAEE., & Savelsbergh, M. (2013). Revenue management opportunities for Internet retailers. Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, 12(2), 128-138. https://doi.org/10.1057/rpm.2012.51

    • Agatz, N., Erera, A., Savelsbergh, M., & Wang, X. (2012). Optimization for Dynamic Ride-Sharing: A Review. European Journal of Operational Research, 223(2), 295-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2012.05.028

    • Agatz, N., Erera, A., Savelsbergh, M., & Wang, X. (2011). Dynamic Ride-Sharing: A Simulation Study in Metro Atlanta. Transportation Research. Part B, Methodological, 45(9), 1450-1464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2011.05.017

    • Agatz, N., Campbell, AM., Fleischmann, M., & Savelsbergh, M. (2011). Time Slot Management in Attended Home Delivery. Transportation Science, 45(3), 435-449. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.1100.0346

    • Agatz, N., Fleischmann, M., & van Nunen, JAEE. (2008). E-fulfillment and multi-channel distribution - A review. European Journal of Operational Research, 187(2), 339-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2007.04.024

    • Agatz, N., Campbell, A. M., Fleischmann, M., & Savelsbergh, M. (2008). Challenges and opportunities in attended home delivery. Operations Research/ Computer Science Interfaces Series, 43, 379-396. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77778-8_17

  • Popular (1)

    • Agatz, N., Campbell, AM., Fleischmann, M., van Nunen, JAEE., & Savelsbergh, M. (2008). What E-Tailers Can Learn From Airline Pricing. Unknown.

  • Professional (5)

Chapter (2)

  • Academic (2)

    • Agatz, N., & Fleischmann, M. (2024). Demand Management for Sustainable Supply Chain Operations. In Sustainable Supply Chains : A Research-Based Textbook on Operations and Strategy (Second Edition ed., pp. 241-259). Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45565-0_10

    • Agatz, N., Campbell, AM., Fleischmann, M., & Savelsbergh, M. (2008). Challenges and Opportunities in Attended Home Delivery. In B. Golden, R. Raghavan, & E. Wasil (Eds.), The Vehicle Routing Problem: Latest Advances and New Challenges (pp. 370-396). Springer-Verlag.

Conference article (1)

  • Academic (1)

    • Agatz, N., Bazzan, A. L. C., Kutadinata, R., Mattfeld, D. C., Sester, M., Winter, S., & Wolfson, O. (2016). Autonomous car and ride sharing: Flexible road trains. GIS: Proceedings of the ACM International Symposium on Advances in Geographic Information Systems. https://doi.org/10.1145/2996913.2996947

Doctoral Thesis (1)

  • Internal (1)

    • Agatz, N. (2009). Demand management in E-fulfillment. [Doctoral Thesis, Erasmus University Rotterdam]. Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR).

Editorial (5)

  • Academic (5)

    • Agatz, N., Fransoo, J. C., Rabinovich, E., & Sousa, R. (2025). Innovations, Technologies, and the Economics of Last-Mile Operations: A Call for Research in Operations Management. Journal of Operations Management, 71(2), 166-175. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1355

    • Agatz, N., Cho, S. H., Wang, H., & Benjaafar, S. (2023). Introduction to the Special Issue on Innovation in Transportation-Enabled Urban Services, Part 1. Service Science, 15(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1287/serv.2023.0317

    • Pel, J., Agatz, N., Macharis, C., & Veelenturf, L. (2018). Technologies and control for sustainable transportation. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 86, 168-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trc.2017.11.006

    • Agatz, N., & Pel, A. (2018). Introduction to the Special Section: TRISTAN IX. Transportation Science, 52(6), 1297-1298. https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2018.0877

    • Agatz, N., & Campbell, JF. (2018). Preface: Special issue on Drone Delivery Systems. Networks, 72(4), 409-410. https://doi.org/10.1002/net.21863

Inaugural speech (1)

  • Popular (1)

    • Agatz, N. (2023). Everything at your doorstep - is the last mile the longest? Address delivered at the occasion of accepting the appointment as Professor of last-mile supply chain analytics at the Rotterdam School of Management. Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). ERIM Inaugural Address Series Research in Management

Working paper (1)

Additional activities (2)

  • Transportation Science (Journal)

    Editorial work (Academic)

  • Networks (Journal)

    Editorial work (Academic)

PhD Tracks (10)

Operational Strategies for On-demand Delivery Services
  • Role: Daily Supervisor
  • PhD Candidate: Alp Arslan
  • Time frame: 2014 - 2019
Online Grocery Operations in Omni-channel Retailing: Opportunities and Challenges
  • Role: Daily Supervisor
  • PhD Candidate: Joydeep Paul
  • Time frame: 2015 - 2022
Truck Platooning: Planning and behaviour
  • Role: Daily Supervisor
  • PhD Candidate: Anirudh Kishore Bhoopalam
  • Time frame: 2016 - 2021
Dynamic Decision Making under Supply Chain Competition
  • Role: Member Doctoral Committee
  • PhD Candidate: Xishu Li
  • Time frame: 2013 - 2019
Multi-objective Optimization Methods for Allocation and Prediction
  • Role: Member Doctoral Committee
  • PhD Candidate: Qing Chuan Ye
  • Time frame: 2012 - 2019
Designing sustainable attended home delivery services in e-grocery
  • Role: Daily Supervisor
  • PhD Candidate: Liana van der Hagen
  • Time frame: 2019 -
Robotized Warehouses: Design and Performance Analysis
  • Role: Member Doctoral Committee
  • PhD Candidate: Kaveh Azadeh
  • Time frame: 2014 - 2021
Optimizing Sustainable Transit Bus Networks in Smart Cities
  • Role: Member Doctoral Committee
  • PhD Candidate: Ayman Abdelwahed
  • Time frame: 2017 - 2022
Vulnerability through Vertical Collaboration in Transportation: A complex networks approach
  • Role: Member Doctoral Committee
  • PhD Candidate: Camill Harter
  • Time frame: 2017 - 2023
Analytics for Volunteer Emergency Response
  • Role: Promotor
  • PhD Candidate: Giulia Melanie Montagna
  • Time frame: 2024 -

Events (16)

2025
March
27
Seminar on Last-mile analytics
Research Seminar
As: Contact
2025
March
20
The use of optimization models in public sector decision-making
Research Seminar
As: Contact
2019
November
21
Tactical Design of Same-Day Delivery Systems; Dynamic relocation of vehicles and staff for a car sharing service
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator
2019
June
17
Vehicle Routing Problem with Steep Roads
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator
2018
January
29
Leveraging human learning to develop organizational capacity
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator
2017
October
06
Dynamic Programming Approaches for the Traveling Salesman Problem with Drone
Research Seminar
As: Speaker
2017
February
15
Nanostore distribution: high-density logistics in megacities
Research Seminar
As: Contact, Coordinator
2017
January
30
Are Hazardous Substance Rankings Effective? An Empirical Investigation of Changing Assessments of the Relative Hazards of Chemicals and Voluntary Emissions Reductions
Research Seminar
As: Contact, Coordinator
2017
January
26
Analyzing the Effect of Express Orders on Supply Chain Costs and Delivery Times at BMW
Research Seminar
As: Contact, Coordinator
2017
January
11
An Analysis of Empirical Newsvendor Decisions: Target Service Levels are Achieved Effectively, but Inefficiently
Research Seminar
As: Contact, Coordinator
2016
October
20
Balancing Flexibility and Inventory in Workforce Planning with Learning
Research Seminar
As: Contact, Coordinator
2016
February
19
Incorporating Coverage for Emergency Calls in Scheduling Patient Transportation
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator, Contact
2012
April
11
Real-world Vehicle Routing: The Livestock Collection Problem
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator
2009
April
02
Demand Management in E-fulfillment
PhD Defence
As: Speaker
2009
April
02
Uitdagingen en Kansen in E-Fulfillment
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator
2008
October
07
Management Science in Railroad Applications
Research Seminar
As: Coordinator

Address

Visiting address

Office: Mandeville Building T09-19
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam

Postal address

Postbus 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

Research Initiatives

Latest publication

Editorial

Agatz, N., Fransoo, J. C., Rabinovich, E., & Sousa, R. (2025). Innovations, Technologies, and the Economics of Last-Mile Operations: A Call for Research in Operations Management. Journal of Operations Management, 71(2), 166-175. https://doi.org/10.1002/joom.1355