Optimization of mixed cargo allocation and stowage with heterogeneous vehicles

Abstract

In order to solve the problem of low efficiency and high loading costs in business logistics and distribution operations, this paper classifies non-standard cargoes based on their spatial and temporal characteristics. Based on this, a dual-layer planning model for multi-vehicle cargoes loading and transportation is constructed to jointly optimize the loading process. This paper designs a space-inspired heuristic algorithm to solve the model and verifies the feasibility of the model. The results show that compared to a single vehicle type, the joint optimization of multi-vehicle combinations for loading and transportation has stronger adaptability and can better accommodate changes in cargo volume. Compared to the single vehicle type, not only did the loading rate increase by 18%, but also effectively reduced the transportation cost by 3%. Different proportions of spatial and temporal characteristic cargoes have different effects on the loading and transportation. Adjusting the proportion of cargoes that can be placed on both upper and lower layers to 50% can better utilize transportation resources such as vehicles. Increasing the proportion of urgent cargoes can improve the economic efficiency of loading and transportation.