Regional Logistics Centers for Efficient Cross-Border Freight Distribution: An Empirical Analysis

Ema Berisha Krasniqi; Muhamed Krasniqi; Surapaneni Phani Praveen; Jujjuri  Rama Devi; Nart Krasniqi; Lir Krasniqi

doi:10.15157/IJITIS.2026.9.3.1852-1884

Authors

Ema Berisha Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0448-2863
Muhamed Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8374-638X
Surapaneni Phani Praveen Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Prasad V Potluri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7458-5908
Jujjuri Rama Devi Department of Computer Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0480-882X
Nart Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0012-7186
Lir Krasniqi Department of Traffic Engineering and Road Safety, Tempulli College, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3178-7491

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15157/IJITIS.2026.9.3.1852-1884

Keywords:

Logistics Centers, Freight Distribution, Transport Efficiency, Western Balkans, Optimization, Monte Carlo Simulation, Sensitivity Analysis, Supply Chain Performance

Abstract

This study evaluates the strategic value of regional logistics centers for improving road-freight efficiency and distribution performance in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans. Empirical cases involving beverage transportation and distribution were integrated into a mathematical optimization model, followed by scenario-based evaluation, statistical hypothesis testing, and sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. The cases include domestic transportation within Kosovo and international beverage distribution from Peja to Skopje and Ohrid. The proposed model minimizes total transportation, handling, warehousing, delay, and customs-clearance costs subject to demand, vehicle capacity, fleet availability, warehousing capacity, and time constraints. To assess robustness beyond the empirical cases, 100 shipment scenarios were generated using observed operating ranges, incorporating different demand levels, route distances of approximately 75–320 km, border delays, fuel prices, and fleet availability. The logistics-center configuration outperformed the baseline in total cost, lead time, vehicle utilization, and productivity. Paired t-tests indicated statistically significant differences between the configurations (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes, while Shapiro–Wilk and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests provided additional evidence of robustness. A 10,000-replication Monte Carlo analysis, with verified convergence, further demonstrated that these performance advantages persisted under simultaneous uncertainty in demand, distance, loading conditions, border delays, and fuel prices. Sensitivity analysis identified demand, traffic conditions, and fuel prices as the main cost drivers, while consolidation and routing positively influenced vehicle-capacity utilization. Overall, the findings provide a systems-engineering basis for evaluating logistics-center investments and improving freight-distribution efficiency under uncertainty in the Western Balkans.