On June 17, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee represented Istinye University’s Department of Industrial Engineering at the online workshop titled “21st Century Silk Road: Modern Transportation and Logistics Technologies,” jointly organized by Istanbul Technical University, Azerbaijan Technical University, and Tashkent State Transport University.
Dr. Tirkolaee contributed to the workshop with a presentation on “The Traveling Salesman Problem with Drones and Bicycles: Multimodal Last-Mile e-Mobility.”
The workshop brought together leading industry experts and academics who shared insights on a wide range of topics—from energy and environmental challenges to new transportation networks, cutting-edge technologies, and innovation. Presentations from specialists in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan explored issues of energy efficiency and environmental impact in line with the sustainability goals of the logistics sector.
The event also examined the impact and development potential of the modern Silk Road’s railway, highway, and maritime routes on current transportation networks. Discussions addressed the future of regional and global connectivity, highlighting how emerging technologies and innovations—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics—are shaping the future of the Silk Road. Participants exchanged ideas on innovative solutions and upcoming trends in the field.