GIS-based site selection for regional cigarette distribution center

To scientifically and rationally select a site for a regional cigarette distribution center, a site selection model was developed based on GIS technology, spatial geographic information, and Internet data sets. The developed model was validated with a regional distribution center to be set up in a province in East China as an example. The results showed that: 1) Through data processing and analysis of spatial geographic information and Internet data sets, the evaluation factors for site selection were extracted, and the candidate-sites were determined by the map layer overlapping method. 2) The customer coverage rate could be obtained and optimized through accessibility analysis. The 60-minute and 90-minute customer coverage rates of the optimal location were 50.17% and 80.50%, respectively, which met the requirements of cigarette distribution in the industry. This method supports the promotion of cigarette logistics operation.