Solving a Heterogeneous Fleet Vehicle Routing Model - A practical approach

Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is an operational management problem in the field of distribution and logistics. In VRPs, routes have to be designed starting from a depot to the geographically spread customer zones with an objective to minimize distance or cost and fulfilling the customer demands. The customers are assigned to a route without violating the capacity of the vehicle. Heterogeneous fleet vehicle routing problem is a kind of VRP that uses vehicles with different capacity. In this study, the real data is obtained from one of the major distribution agency that distributes the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in a Northern district of Kerala. The heterogeneous vehicle routing problem is solved by using Clarke and Wright Algorithm and the solution is compared with that of LINGO solution.