An approach to solve multi-objective transportation problem using fuzzy goal programming and genetic algorithm

Abstract

Transportation problem is an integral part of this competitive world. Minimizing transportation cost of a product from sources to destinations is the main objective of traditional transportation problems. In the present context single objective transportation problem fails to meet the managerial decision making requirements which demands the multi objective transportation problems. Many real life problems can be formulated as multi objective transportation problem, and their solution requires consideration of conflicting objectives. Naturally, these problems have a number of potentially Pareto-optimal solutions. Multi-objective transportation problem refers to a special class of vector minimum linear programming problem, which usually involves multiple, conflicting, and incommensurable objective functions. Solving these complexities, the decision maker has to develop a utility function. In this paper, we develop a utility function to attain the targeted goal for a multi objective transportation problem. This utility function is developed using fuzzy membership functions considering deviations of objective function from the goal value where deviation variable has chosen as fuzzy type. Moreover, fuzzy max-min operator has been included for taking limiting value of the objective functions. Performance of the utility function to achieve proper goal is evaluated and justified by solving numerical examples using fuzzy goal programming.