A new consistent vehicle routing problem for the transportation of people with disabilities. Issue 3 (24th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feillet, Dominique; Garaix, Thierry; Lehuédé, Fabien; Péton, Olivier; Quadri, Dominique
• Is Part Of: Networks. Volume 63:Issue 3(2014:May)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 224
• Publication Date: 2014-02-24
• Subjects: Network analysis (Planning) -- Periodicals; 658.4032
• DOI: 10.1002/net.21538
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3045

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>In this article, we address a problem of the transportation of people with disabilities where customers are served on an almost daily basis and expect some consistency in the service. We introduce an original model for the time‐consistency of the service, based on so‐called time‐classes. We then define a new multiday vehicle routing problem (VRP) that we call the Time‐Consistent VRP. We address the solution of this new problem with a large neighborhood search heuristic. Each iteration of the heuristic requires solving a complex VRP with multiple time windows and no waiting time which we tackle with a heuristic branch‐and‐price method. Computational tests are conducted on benchmark sets and modified real‐life instances. Results demonstrate the efficiency of the method and highlight the impact of time‐consistency on travel costs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 63(3), 211‐224 2014</p> </abstract>