Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A biased-randomized variable neighborhood search for sustainable multi-depot vehicle routing problems

  • Published:
Journal of Heuristics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Urban freight transport is becoming increasingly complex due to a boost in the volume of products distributed and the associated number of delivery services. In addition, stakeholders’ preferences and city logistics dynamics affect the freight flow and the efficiency of the delivery process in downtown areas. In general, transport activities have a significant and negative impact on the environment and citizens’ welfare, which motivates the need for sustainable transport planning. This work proposes a metaheuristic-based approach for tackling an enriched multi-depot vehicle routing problem in which economic, environmental, and social dimensions are considered. Our approach integrates biased-randomization strategies within a variable neighborhood search framework in order to better guide the searching process. A series of computational experiments illustrates how the aforementioned dimensions can be integrated in realistic transport operations. Also, the paper discusses how the cost values change as different dimensions are prioritized.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bektaş, T., Laporte, G.: The pollution-routing problem. Transp. Res. Part B Methodol. 45(8), 1232–1250 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Caceres, J., Arias, P., Guimarans, D., Riera, D., Juan, A.A.: Rich vehicle routing problem: a survey. ACM Comput. Surv. 47(2), 1–28 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Calvet, L., Ferrer, A., Gomes, M.I., Juan, A.A., Masip, D.: Combining statistical learning with metaheuristics for the multi-depot vehicle routing problem with market segmentation. Comput. Ind. Eng. 94, 93–104 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao, I.M., Golden, B.L., Wasil, E.: A new heuristic for the multi-depot vehicle routing problem that improves upon best-known solutions. Am. J. Math. Manag. Sci. 13(3–4), 371–406 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1080/01966324.1993.10737363

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L.W., Sharma, P., Tseng, Y.C.: Dynamic traffic control with fairness and throughput optimization using vehicular communications. IEEE J. Sel. Areas Commun. 31(9), 504–512 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chibeles-Martins, N., Pinto-Varela, T., Barbosa-Póvoa, A.P., Novais, A.Q.: A multi-objective meta-heuristic approach for the design and planning of green supply chains—MBSA. Expert Syst. Appl. 47, 71–84 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G., Wright, J.W.: Scheduling of vehicles from a central depot to a number of delivery points. Oper. Res. 12(4), 568–581 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cordeau, J.F., Maischberger, M.: A parallel iterated tabu search heuristic for vehicle routing problems. Comput. Oper. Res. 39(9), 2033–2050 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Delucchi, M.A., McCubbin, D.R.: External costs of transport in the US. Institute of Transportation Studies, pp. 1–34 (2010)

  • Demir, E., Van Woensel, T., de Kok, T.: Multidepot distribution planning at logistics service provider Nabuurs BV. Interfaces 44(6), 591–604 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dominguez, O., Juan, A.A., Faulin, J.: A biased-randomized algorithm for the two-dimensional vehicle routing problem with and without item rotations. Int. Trans. Oper. Res. 21(3), 375–398 (2014)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Dominguez, O., Juan, A.A., Barrios, B., Faulin, J., Agustin, A.: Using biased randomization for solving the two-dimensional loading vehicle routing problem with heterogeneous fleet. Ann. Oper. Res. 236(2), 383–404 (2016)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Escobar, J.W., Linfati, R., Toth, P., Baldoquin, M.G.: A hybrid granular tabu search algorithm for the multi-depot vehicle routing problem. J. Heuristics 20(5), 483–509 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission: EU Transport in figures. Statistical pocketbook, 2015th edn (2015). https://doi.org/10.2832/9150

  • Eurostat: Sustainable development in the European Union: 2015 monitoring report of the EU sustainable development strategy. Publications office of the European Union (2015)

  • Faulin, J., Juan, A.A., Lera, F., Grasman, S.: Solving the capacitated vehicle routing problem with environmental criteria based on real estimations in road transportation: a case study. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 20, 323–334 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grasas, A., Juan, A.A., Faulin, J., de Armas, J., Ramalhinho, H.: Biased randomization of heuristics using skewed probability distributions: a survey and some applications. Comput. Ind. Eng. 110, 216–228 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen, P., Mladenović, N.: Variable neighborhood search. In: Search Methodologies, pp. 313–337. Springer (2014)

  • Hansen, P., Mladenović, N., Pérez, J.A.M.: Variable neighbourhood search: methods and applications. Ann. Oper. Res. 175(1), 367–407 (2010)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Hatami, S., Ruiz, R., Andrés-Romano, C.: Heuristics and metaheuristics for the distributed assembly permutation flowshop scheduling problem with sequence dependent setup times. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 169, 76–88 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, J.D., Stefan, K.J.: Tour-based microsimulation of urban commercial movements. Transp. Res. Part B Methodol. 41(9), 981–1013 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jabbarpour, M.R., Noor, R.M., Khokhar, R.H.: Green vehicle traffic routing system using ant-based algorithm. J. Netw. Comput. Appl. 58, 294–308 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Juan, A.A., Faulin, J., Jorba, J., Riera, D., Masip, D., Barrios, B.: On the use of Monte Carlo simulation, cache and splitting techniques to improve the Clarke and Wright savings heuristics. J. Oper. Res. Soc. 6(62), 1085–1097 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Juan, A.A., Faulin, J., Ferrer, A., Lourenço, H.R., Barrios, B.: MIRHA: multi-start biased randomization of heuristics with adaptive local search for solving non-smooth routing problems. TOP 21(1), 109–132 (2013)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Juan, A.A., Faulin, J., Pérez-Bernabeu, E., Jozefowiez, N.: Horizontal cooperation in vehicle routing problems with backhauling and environmental criteria. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 111, 1133–1141 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Juan, A.A., Pascual, I., Guimarans, D., Barrios, B.: Combining biased randomization with iterated local search for solving the multi-depot vehicle routing problem. Int. Trans. Oper. Res. 22(4), 647–667 (2015)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kadziński, M., Tervonen, T., Tomczyk, M.K., Dekker, R.: Evaluation of multi-objective optimization approaches for solving green supply chain design problems. Omega 68, 168–184 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koç, Ç., Bektaş, T., Jabali, O., Laporte, G.: The fleet size and mix pollution-routing problem. Transp. Res. Part B Methodol. 70, 239–254 (2014)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kuo, Y.: Using simulated annealing to minimize fuel consumption for the time-dependent vehicle routing problem. Comput. Ind. Eng. 59(1), 157–165 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, W.Y., Lin, C.C., Chiu, C.R., Tsao, Y.S., Wang, Q.: Minimizing the carbon footprint for the time-dependent heterogeneous-fleet vehicle routing problem with alternative paths. Sustainability 6(7), 4658–4684 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinnon, A., Browne, M., Whiteing, A., Piecyk, M.: Green Logistics: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Logistics. Kogan Page Publishers, London (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirabi, M., Fatemi Ghomi, S.M.T., Jolai, F.: Efficient stochastic hybrid heuristics for the multi-depot vehicle routing problem. Robot. Comput. Integr. Manuf. 26(6), 564–569 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Muñuzuri, J., Cortés, P., Onieva, L., Guadix, J.: Modelling peak-hour urban freight movements with limited data availability. Comput. Ind. Eng. 59(1), 34–44 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Niknamfar, A.H., Niaki, S.T.A.: Fair profit contract for a carrier collaboration framework in a green hub network under soft time-windows: dual lexicographic max–min approach. Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev. 91, 129–151 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pisinger, D., Ropke, S.: A general heuristic for vehicle routing problems. Comput. Oper. Res. 34(8), 2403–2435 (2007)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Ranaiefar, F., Amelia, R.: Freight-Transportation Externalities. Elsevier Inc, Amsterdam (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruan, M., Lin, J.J., Kawamura, K.: Modeling urban commercial vehicle daily tour chaining. Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev. 48(6), 1169–1184 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Salhi, S.: Heuristic Search: The Emerging Science of Problem Solving. Springer, Berlin (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, G., Behrendt, H., Maconi, L., Shirvani, T., Teytelboym, A.: Part I: externalities and economic policies in road transport. Res. Transp. Econ. 28(1), 2–45 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheuer, S.: EU Environmental Policy Handbook. A Critical Analysis of EU Environmental Legislation: Making it Accessible to Environmentalists and Decision Makers. European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Brussels (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Subramanian, A., Uchoa, E., Ochi, L.S.: A hybrid algorithm for a class of vehicle routing problems. Comput. Oper. Res. 40(10), 2519–2531 (2013)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Talbi, E.G.: Metaheuristics: From Design to Implementation. Wiley, Hoboken (2009)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Teo, J.S.E., Qureshi, A.G.: Evaluating city logistics measure in e-commerce with multiagent systems. Procedia Soc. Behav.Sci. 39, 349–359 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ubeda, S., Arcelus, F., Faulin, J.: Green logistics at Eroski: a case study. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 131(1), 44–51 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, T., Crainic, T.G., Gendreau, M., Lahrichi, N., Rei, W.: A hybrid genetic algorithm for multidepot and periodic vehicle routing problems. Oper. Res. 60(3), 611–624 (2012)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, T., Crainic, T.G., Gendreau, M., Prins, C.: A unified solution framework for multi-attribute vehicle routing problems. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 234(3), 658–673 (2014)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Kopfer, H., Gendreau, M.: Operational transportation planning of freight forwarding companies in horizontal coalitions. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 237(3), 1133–1141 (2014)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Fan, T., Li, W., Yu, R., Bullock, D., Wu, B., Tremont, P.: Speed variation during peak and off-peak hours on urban arterials in Shanghai. Transp. Res. Part C Emerg. Technol. 67, 84–94 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, Y., Konak, A.: Green vehicle routing problem with time-varying traffic congestion. In: Proceedings of the 14th INFORMS Computing Society Conference, pp. 134–148 (2015)

  • Xie, K., Wang, X., Huang, H., Chen, X.: Corridor-level signalized intersection safety analysis in Shanghai, China using Bayesian hierarchical models. Accid. Anal. Prev. 50, 25–33 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Zhao, Y., Xue, W., Li, J.: Vehicle routing problem with fuel consumption and carbon emission. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 170, 234–242 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Lee, C.K.M., Wu, K., Choy, K.L.: Multi-objective optimization for sustainable supply chain network design considering multiple distribution channels. Expert Syst. Appl. 65, 87–99 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, FEDER (TRA2013-48180-C3-P, TRA2015-71883-REDT), the Ibero-American Program for Science and Technology for Development (CYTED2014-515RT0489), and the Erasmus+ programme (2016-1-ES01-KA108-023465). Likewise, we want to thank the support of the UPNA doctoral grants programme.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Smart Cities, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Lorena Reyes-Rubiano & Javier Faulin

  2. IN3 - Computer Science, Multimedia and Telecommunication Department, Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

    Laura Calvet, Angel A. Juan & Lluc Bové

  3. Euncet Business School, Terrassa, Spain

    Laura Calvet, Angel A. Juan & Lluc Bové

Authors
  1. Lorena Reyes-Rubiano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura Calvet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Angel A. Juan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Javier Faulin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lluc Bové
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lorena Reyes-Rubiano.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Reyes-Rubiano, L., Calvet, L., Juan, A.A. et al. A biased-randomized variable neighborhood search for sustainable multi-depot vehicle routing problems. J Heuristics 26, 401–422 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10732-018-9366-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10732-018-9366-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation