Variable Neighborhood Search for Multi-Cycle Medical Waste Recycling Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows

Abstract

Background: Improper disposal of urban medical waste is likely to cause a series of neglective impacts. Therefore, we have to consider how to improve the efficiency of urban medical waste recycling and lowering carbon emissions when facing disposal. Methods: This paper considers the multi-cycle medical waste recycling vehicle routing problem with time windows for preventing and reducing the risk of medical waste transportation. First, a mixed-integer linear programming model is formulated to minimize the total cost consisting of the vehicle dispatch cost and the transportation costs. In addition, an improved neighborhood search algorithm is designed for handling large-sized problems. In the algorithm, the initial solution is constructed using the Clarke–Wright algorithm in the first stage, and the variable neighborhood search algorithm with a simulated annealing strategy is introduced for exploring a better solution in the second stage. Results: The computational results demonstrate the performance of the suggested algorithm. In addition, the total cost of recycling in the periodic strategy is lower than with the single-cycle strategy. Conclusions: The proposed model and algorithm have the management improvement value of the studied medical waste recycling vehicle routing problem.

Routing Optimization for Healthcare Waste Collection With Temporary Storing Risks and Sequential Uncertain Service Requests

“…Zhang et al presented a two-stage multi-cycle routing of healthcare waste recycling to minimize the total cost. To address this problem, the Clarke-Wright algorithm and the variable neighbor search algorithm are used respectively [18].…”

“…Objective (17) minimizes the total transport risk. Constraint (18) imposes the stipulation that v  can only be assigned to one vehicle. Constraint (19) guarantees that the capacity of vehicles will not be exceeded.…”

An innovative medical waste management system in a smart city using XAI and vehicle routing optimization

“…Ref. 72 considered routing for multi-cycle medical waste recycling vehicles with time windows to mitigate risks related to medical waste transportation. Furthermore, in Ref.…”