A multiobjective decomposition‐coordination framework with an application to vehicle layout and configuration design

Abstract

AbstractThis short paper addresses both researchers in multiobjective optimization as well as industrial practitioners and decision makers in need of solving optimization and decision problems with multiple criteria. To enhance the solution and decision process, a multiobjective decomposition‐coordination framework is presented that initially decomposes the original problem into a collection of smaller‐sized subproblems that can be solved for their individual solution sets. A common solution for all decomposed and, thus, the original problem is then achieved through a subsequent coordination mechanism that uses the concept of epsilon‐efficiency to integrate decisions on the desired tradeoffs between these individual solutions. An application to a problem from vehicle configuration design is selected for further illustration of the results in this paper and suggests that the proposed method is an effective and promising new solution technique for multicriteria decision making and optimization. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)