A discrete firefly algorithm to solve a rich vehicle routing problem modelling a newspaper distribution system with recycling policy

作者：Osaba Eneko^*; Yang Xin She; Diaz Fernando; Onieva Enrique; Masegosa Antonio D; Perallos Asier

来源：Soft Computing, 2017, 21(18): 5295-5308.

DOI：10.1007/s00500-016-2114-1

• Rich vehicle routing problem
• Firefly algorithm
• Newspaper delivery
• Combinatorial optimization
• Routing problems

A real-world newspaper distribution problem with recycling policy is tackled in this work. To meet all the complex restrictions contained in such a problem, it has been modeled as a rich vehicle routing problem, which can be more specifically considered as an asymmetric and clustered vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and deliveries, variable costs and forbidden paths (AC-VRP-SPDVCFP). This is the first study of such a problem in the literature. For this reason, a benchmark composed by 15 instances has been also proposed. In the design of this benchmark, real geographical positions have been used, located in the province of Bizkaia, Spain. For the proper treatment of this AC-VRP-SPDVCFP, a discrete firefly algorithm (DFA) has been developed. This application is the first application of the firefly algorithm to any rich vehicle routing problem. To prove that the proposed DFA is a promising technique, its performance has been compared with two other well-known techniques: an evolutionary algorithm and an evolutionary simulated annealing. Our results have shown that the DFA has outperformed these two classic meta-heuristics.

• 出版日期2017-9