A Solution Procedure for the Vehicle-Scheduling Problem Based on Iterative Route Improvement

Abstract

A solution routine, based on iterative improvement of an initial solution, has been developed for vehicle-scheduling problems. The improving routine combines a number of very simple procedures, each of which tries to reduce the overall distance travelled by moving customers in a systematic way. Tests were run using standard problems, and results obtained were of good quality. An application of the procedure is described briefly.

Keywords:

• distribution
• routeing
• vehicle scheduling