Modelling contemporary routing problems (R-3249)

A highly congested road network raises the need for robust vehicle routing decisions. Current traffic conditions give rise to uncertain travel times. The reliability of travel times may be taken into account when planning vehicle routes. This project will propose a framework to support transport planning decisions at the tactical level. The problem is modeled as Time Dependent Vehicle Routing Problem. A heuristic algorithm will be developed to solve problem instances of realistic size. Next, this algorithm will be applied to perform a sensitivity analysis to identify which congestion avoiding strategies have a large influence on the objective function. A second approach to avoid congestion is to make use of alternative transport modes. Intermodal routing involves the selection of routes for shipments through an intermodal network. In the second part of this research proposal a solution method will be developed which considers all three essential characteristics of intermodal routing problems: (1) multiple objectives, (2) transportation mode schedules and demanded delivery times and (3) economies of scale. The high complexity of the combination of these three characteristics calls for the use of a heuristic solution method in which the master problem may have to be decomposed into a number of subproblems.

Keywords:Traffic flows

Disciplines:Civil and building engineering, Mechanical and manufacturing engineering, Social and economic geography