On lexicographic optimal solutions in transportation problems

Abstract

Lexicographic versions of the cost minimizing transportation problem (CMTP) and the time minimizing transportation problem (TMTP) are presented in this paper. In addition to minimizing the quantity sent on the costliest routes in a cost minimizing transportation problem. an attempt is made to minimize the quantity transported on the second-costliest routes. if the shipment on the costliest routes is as small as possible and the quantity shipped on the third-costliest routes, if the shipments on the costliest and the second- costliest routes are as small as possible. and so on. In a lexicographic time minimizing transportation problem one is not only interested in minimizing the transportation cost on the routes of the longest duration but also on the routes of second longest, third-longest duration and so on. For finding lexicographic optimal solutions (LOS) of lexicographic cost minimizing and time minimizing transportation problems a standard cost minimizing transportation problem is formulated whose optimal solution is shown to provide the answer. Some extensions are also discussed