Optimization of Multi-temperature Joint Distribution Path for Cold Chain Logistics under Carbon Emission

Abstract

The low carbon concept and low carbon economy have received more and more attention in scientific research. Considering that cold chain logistics with multi-temperature joint distribution produces higher carbon emissions in comparison with general cold chain logistics, we incorporate carbon emissions into the cold chain logistics distribution path optimization problem. We propose the total cost objective function consisting of transportation cost, penalty cost, refrigeration cost and carbon emission cost, and develop the minimum cost optimization model of cold chain logistics distribution path under multi-temperature joint distribution. And design and apply genetic algorithm to solve the model. By comparing the route optimization results before and after considering the carbon emission cost, the model can effectively reduce the distribution distance and thus the carbon emission, which proves that the multi-temperature joint distribution model is a cold chain logistics distribution model worth promoting.