Evaluation of Vehicle Routing Problem Algorithms for Transport Logistics Using Dedicated GIS System

The development and research related to optimization of fleet management is of high interest among many industrial and scientific entities related to logistics and transport. Optimal distribution of transportation resources leads to significant cost reduction. In this context, scientific research related to so called Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) which relies on determining the shortest transport routes for a strictly limited number of means of transport, whose aim is to handle a set of customers located in different geographic locations while maintaining defined restrictions is of high interest. In the paper, the process of design and implementation of the dedicated ICT system for optimization of fleet management using VRP class solving algorithms is presented. The theoretical background, the technical description of the proposed system and the evaluation of proposed theoretical approaches is described.

I. Introduction

The development and research related to decision systems that support logistics and fleet management is of high interest among many industrial and scientific entities. Cost reduction related to optimal distribution of transportation resources, appropriate scheduling, deployment of vehicles and personnel leads to economical, fiscal savings and allows for indirect and direct cost reduction [1]. Recently, large amount of industrial, scientific projects and theory has been developed with respect to problems stated above i. e [2]–[4].