Implementation of a Mathematical Model to Improve Sustainability in the Handling of Transport Costs in a Distribution Network

Abstract

This work considers the application of a mathematical model using mixed-integer linear programming for the vehicle routing problem. The model aims at establishing the distribution routes departing from a distribution center to each customer in order to reduce the transport cost associated with these routes. The study considers the use of a fleet of different capacities in the distribution network, which presents the special characteristic of a star network and which must meet different efficiency criteria, such as the fulfillment of each customer's demand, the vehicle carrying capacity, work schedule, and sustainable use of resources. The intention is to find the amount of equipment suitable to satisfy the demand, thus improving the level of customer service, optimizing the use of both human and economic resources in the distribution area, and leveraging maximum vehicle capacity usage. The MILP mixed-integer linear programming mathematical model of the case study is presented, as well as the corresponding numerical study.

Multi-Objective Optimization of the Organization’s Performance for Sustainable Development

“…A substantial improvement is observed both in the maximization and minimization functions, which shows the fact that the optimal final function allows an increase in both the unitary performances (sales, costs, and productivity) and the global performance of the organization. Cost optimization is often targeted by researchers [22,29], profit optimization is focus of specialists [12], and multi-objective optimization of the two indicators is also geted [6,11,18,24]; however, a multi-objective vision that involves the optimization sales, as well as costs and productivity, is the novelty brought by the current work. A lyzing the results obtained, it can be stated that the final multi-objective function allow for the global optimization of the sustainable development of the organization.…”

“…The input data include the objectives planned by the compa regarding the turnover to be achieved, the production and delivery costs, and the prod tivity achieved by employees. Customer requirements for orders, production capac delivery costs, and resource consumption are also taken into account for optimization Starting from the multi-objective model, several mono-objective optimization pr lems are formulated: the problem of maximizing turnover, the problem of minimiz Cost optimization is often targeted by researchers [22,29], profit optimization is the focus of specialists [12], and multi-objective optimization of the two indicators is also targeted [6,11,18,24]; however, a multi-objective vision that involves the optimization of sales, as well as costs and productivity, is the novelty brought by the current work. Analyzing the results obtained, it can be stated that the final multi-objective function allowed for the global optimization of the sustainable development of the organization.…”

“…Analyzing the results obtained, it can be stated that the final multi-objective function allowed for the global optimization of the sustainable development of the organization. Increasing the performance of the organization simultaneously with sustainable development is in fact the target desired by specialists, such as [6,13,17,18,23,26,29].…”

Perspectives on Modeling Energy and Mobility Transitions for Stakeholders: A Dutch Case

“…Logistic and transport service providers Multi-objective vehicle routing objectives are the amount of energy consumed, the quality of a transported good, etc. [129][130][131][132][133][134] Transportation infrastructure managers Managing a transportation infrastructure considering emergent problems due to rapid urbanization or energy transition and attempting to fulfill objectives such as cost minimization and environmental friendliness [135][136][137][138][139] We examined six distinct types of models that varied in their forms, representing phenomena, and utilities. In the next section, we discuss how to design such models to engage stakeholders in the transition process effectively.…”

A Model for Planning Wagonload Freight Transport Under Relative Uncertainty

“…In [15], the application of a mathematical model using linear programming with mixed integers was considered to solve the problem of vehicle route planning [27]. The model aims to establish distribution routes from the distribution center to each customer in order to reduce the transport costs associated with these routes.…”