IEM MDP: Colloquium, Bas Lindeboom

Title

Design of a Hybrid Optimisation Simulation model to minimize the CO2 emissions of the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem with Heterogeneous Fleet without jeopardizing delivery throughput

Panel

1st supervisor: Dr. A. (Alexander) Hübl

2nd supervisor: Dr. A. K. (Ashish) Cherukuri

Company supervisor: Mr. R. (Roy) Rachman

Abstract

In this report, the design of a hybrid simulation optimisation model for CO2 minimisation of the last mile delivery process of a large third-party logistics provider in the Netherlands is discussed. The third-party logistic provider has committed to a CO2 neutral last-mile delivery in 2030 and required a model to accurately quantify and reduce the CO2 emissions. Having to deliver orders over relatively long distances, the company is restricted by the low mileage of electric vehicles. Hence, for the reduction, the company wanted the ability to test different alternative vehicles and fuels to analyse the effect on sustainability. The last-mile delivery process is represented by the Multi-depot Green Vehicle Routing problem with Heterogeneous fleet. A genetic algorithm is used to generate solutions that fulfil the physical constraints of the routing problem. Here the order data is sorted on postal codes and sequential increments of the sorted data are used to initialise the genetic algorithm. Via discrete event simulation, stochastic and uncertain properties are added and the solutions of the genetic algorithm are evaluated. To create robustness, the simulations have been replicated. Combined, the hybridisation of simulation and optimisation is considered an effective decision-making tool for the analysis and identification of opportunities to reduce the CO2 emissions of a last-mile delivery.

Additional Info.

Please confirm your participation to Betsy van Rooij-Oldenboom (j.e.van.rooij-oldenboom@rug.nl). She will put your name on the attendance list (RED BOOK) after the colloquium is finished.