A multi-objective ring star vehicle routing problem for perishable items

Abstract

This study proposes a multi-objective model of the capacitated vehicle routing problem to envisage delivering perishable items. The main objectives of the model are to minimize the quality degradation of the perishable items to be delivered, and delivery costs. Here we consider the m-ring star type of distribution network to match the real-world scenario perfectly. To establish a trade-off between the quality of the items and the delivery cost, we consider both the refrigerated and general vehicles. The customers are categorized into two types based on their position and the vehicle type by which the items are served. The demands of the cities are known in advance. It is also considered that the refrigerated vehicle’s capacity is homogeneous and higher than the capacity of the general type of vehicle. The proposed model is solved using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and Strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm.