基于聚类和动态规划的组合路径策略

为提高电商仓库的拣货作业效率,本文提出了基于聚类和动态规划的组合路径策略,实现了生成路径消耗时间和路径长度之间的平衡,并将这一策略成功地应用到多区型仓库。该策略分四步:首先,根据待拣储位分布特征,运用聚类分析法对其进行分类;然后,以各类的首末储位作为节点,运用动态规划法对已得分类进行排序,得到相应的类序;其次,得到各类内部路径;最后,依次拣取待拣商品,并返回出发点完成拣货作业。在提出新的路径策略后,通过仿真方法将新策略与三种传统路径策略(穿越策略、最大间隙策略和混合策略)和一种优质算法(蚁群算法)进行了对比分析,结果表明:该策略具备良好的适用性和实用性。     

基于移动机器人的拣选系统货架动态储位分配研究

为了提高基于移动机器人的拣选系统拣货效率,更好地满足客户动态需求和订单时效要求,提出了考虑货架后续需求频次、需求紧迫程度以及拥堵因素的货架动态储位分配策略,构建了最小化货架搬运距离的动态储位分配模型,并设计了启发式算法进行模型求解.首先,基于货架需求紧迫程度,构造贪婪算法生成动态货架储位分配的初始解;然后,基于货架在后续批次订单的需求频次及通道间负载均衡,采用邻域搜索算法进行动态货架储位优化.最后,通过与其他静态和动态储位分配方法对比,验证文章提出的模型和算法的有效性.     

基于商品关联度的智能仓库储位分配问题研究

储位分配方案是直接影响智能仓库工作效率和拣选成本的关键因素.根据历史订单信息定义了商品之间的关联度,以同一货架上的商品之间的关联度之和极大化为目标建立了智能仓库储位分配问题的数学模型,并设计了求解模型的算法.首先根据历史订单信息计算商品之间的关联度,然后结合商品的周转率、商品之间的关联度等信息,设计了启发式算法求解智能仓库储位分配问题,并且分析了启发式算法的时间复杂度.通过大量的模拟计算验证了本文建立的数学模型和设计的启发式算法的有效性,证明了以同一货架上商品之间关联度极大化为目标和以订单拣选过程中搬运货架总次数极小化为目标的一致性.通过对比分析本文算法得到的储位分配结果与随机储位分配结果可以看出,利用基于商品关联度的启发式算法得到的储位分配方案比随机储位分配方案对应的货架搬运次数平均减少了30.08%.     

基于AGV的智能仓库系统储位分配问题研究

研究了基于自动引导机器人(AGV)的"货到人"拣选模式下的智能仓库系统补货阶段的储位分配问题.根据待拣选订单信息计算出商品之间的关联度,考虑了货架上存放的物品信息、空余储位数量、待补货物品信息,以同一货架上的各种商品之间的关联度之和最大化为目标函数,建立了补货阶段储位分配问题的整数规划模型;设计了求解模型的贪婪算法,并分析了算法复杂度.利用一个具体实例进行模拟计算,分析了贪婪算法的求解效果.进一步利用不同规模算例进行模拟计算,分析了贪婪算法的计算时间和近似比,结果显示贪婪算法可以在很短的时间内得到近似最优解,近似比不超过1.15.设计的贪婪算法可以作为智能仓库管理信息系统的核心算法.     

基于“货到人”拣选模式的储位分配问题研究

研究了“货到人”拣选模式下的储位分配问题,以订单拣选过程中搬运货架总时间最短为目标建立了整数非线性规划模型,并证明其为NP-hard问题,分别设计了求解模型的贪婪算法和单亲进化遗传算法。首先根据订单和物品的关联关系对物品进行聚类,基于聚类结果设计了求解模型的贪婪算法。然后设计了直接求解模型的单亲进化遗传算法,遗传算法中采用了0-1矩阵编码、多点基因倒位算子、单点基因突变算子和精英保留等策略,通过合理选取参数,能够很快求解出问题的近似最优解。最后利用模拟算例和一个具体实例进行计算,并对贪婪算法和遗传算法的求解时间和求解效果进行了比较分析。结果显示,对于小规模问题,两种算法均能在较短的时间内以很高的概率得到问题的全局最优解,对于中等规模的实际问题,利用两种算法得到的储位分配方案均优于企业目前采取的基于出库频率的储位分配方案,遗传算法得到的储位分配方案对应的货架搬运次数、货架搬运总时间等均优于贪婪算法。本文设计的遗传算法可以作为智能仓库管理信息系统的核心算法。     

基于Shadowed Sets的连续属性离散化

基于Shadowed Sets理论研究了粗糙集连续属性离散化问题,提出一种新的基于Shadowed Sets 理论的候选断点集提取算法.该算法根据实例在单属性上的分布,对数据样本进行分类,采用Shadowed Sets计算出各类的上下近似,最终提取出候选断点集.使用多组UCI数据对此算法的性能进行检验,同时还与其它候选断点集提取算法做了对比实验.实验结果表明,此算法能有效地减少数据集候选断点的数目,提高离散化算法运行速度和识别率.     

基于Voronoi划分的同城即时配送优化策略研究

近年来经济社会发展及新零售业强势崛起使得平台或商家对大规模即时配送需求日益增加,在求解大规模车辆路径问题时仅使用启发式算法或其融合算法已无法满足实际需求。本文针对基于分众级的同城即时配送模式及现阶段存在的问题,确定了基于Voronoi划分算法的即时配送分区方法和对基础蚁群算法的三个改进策略;并以全程配送产生的总成本最少为目标函数,构建了带用户需求软时间窗的车辆路径问题数学模型;最后选取客户、车辆以及门店共计一百二十个真实地理位置数据,验证了本文提出的求解策略的有效性,并分析最终结果。结果显示,①使用Voronoi分区-改进蚁群算法的两阶段方法求解大规模车辆路径问题能显著减少配送总成本,同时提升客户满意度;②在多门店的条件假设下,采用改进蚁群算法求解得到的超时时间比基础蚁群算法少36%,配送总成本低17%。     

基于交通流的多模糊时间窗车辆路径优化

研究了基于交通流的多模糊时间窗车辆路径问题,考虑了实际中不断变化的交通流以及客户具有多个模糊时间窗的情况,以最小化配送总成本和最大化客户满意度为目标,构建基于交通流的多模糊时间窗车辆路径模型。根据伊藤算法的基本原理,设计了求解该模型的改进伊藤算法,结合仿真算例进行了模拟计算,并与蚁群算法的计算结果进行了对比分析,结果表明,利用改进伊藤算法求解基于交通流的多模糊时间窗车辆路径问题,迭代次数小,效率更高,能够在较短的时间内收敛到全局最优解,可以有效的求解多模糊时间窗车辆路径问题。     

基于区域推荐和深度卷积网络的交通目标检测

为解决传统目标检测算法需要人工设定目标特征、使用滑动窗法判断目标可能区域耗时等问题,将基于区域推荐和深度卷积网络用于交通目标检测,直接从原始图像提取特征,免去了人工选取特征的环节;解决了滑动窗口法耗时的问题.首先采用Selective Search方法在源图像上生成大量的候选区域,以这些候选区域作为输入样本,训练深度卷积网络学习算法,自动进行特征提取,对每个候选区提取的特征采用SVM分类器进行分类,最后基于贪婪非极大值抑制方法精修候选框的位置.此算法通过matlab编程分别对单目标、多目标及多类交通目标进行检测实验,证明了所提方法的可行性和有效性.     

基于最大最小蚂蚁系统的物流配送中心选址算法的研究

提出了一种基于信息素自适应调节的最大最小蚂蚁系统的多物流配送中心选址算法,利用改进的蚁群算法的路径寻优机制结合蚂蚁聚集尸体的行为模式,根据物流配送总成本最低的原则将各配送点与候选配送中心进行聚类,合理选择配送中心。将已有物流配送模型进行拓展,加入经营管理成本。分别利用基本蚁群聚类算法和改进的蚁群聚类算法对配送中心选址进行仿真,实验结果表明在解决大规模配送中心选址问题时,改进的算法在解的质量和收敛速度方面明显优于基本蚁群聚类算法。     

A new VRPPD model and a hybrid heuristic solution approach for e-tailing

We analyze a business model for e-supermarkets to enable multi-product sourcing capacity through co-opetition (collaborative competition). The logistics aspect of our approach is to design and execute a network system where “premium” goods are acquired from vendors at multiple locations in the supply network and delivered to customers. Our specific goals are to: (i) investigate the role of premium product offerings in creating critical mass and profit; (ii) develop a model for the multiple-pickup single-delivery vehicle routing problem in the presence of multiple vendors; and (iii) propose a hybrid solution approach. To solve the problem introduced in this paper, we develop a hybrid metaheuristic approach that uses a Genetic Algorithm for vendor selection and allocation, and a modified savings algorithm for the capacitated VRP with multiple pickup, single delivery and time windows (CVRPMPDTW). The proposed Genetic Algorithm guides the search for optimal vendor pickup location decisions, and for each generated solution in the genetic population, a corresponding CVRPMPDTW is solved using the savings algorithm. We validate our solution approach against published VRPTW solutions and also test our algorithm with Solomon instances modified for CVRPMPDTW.     

A deterministic tabu search algorithm for the fleet size and mix vehicle routing problem

The fleet size and mix vehicle routing problem consists of defining the type, the number of vehicles of each type, as well as the order in which to serve the customers with each vehicle when a company has to distribute goods to a set of customers geographically spread, with the objective of minimizing the total costs. In this paper, a heuristic algorithm based on tabu search is proposed and tested on several benchmark instances. The computational results show that the proposed algorithm produces high quality results within a reasonable computing time. Some new best solutions are reported for a set of test problems used in the literature.     

Vehicle routing considerations in distribution system design

In Distribution System Design, one minimizes total costs related to the number, locations and sizes of warehouses, and the assignment of warehouses to customers. The resulting system, while optimal in a strategic sense, may not be the best choice if operational aspects such as vehicle routing are also considered.We formulate a multicommodity, capacitated distribution planning model as anon-linear, mixed integer program. Distribution from factories to customers is two-staged via depots (warehouses) whose number and location must be chosen. Vehicle routes from depots to customers are established by considering the “fleet size and mix” problem, which also incorporates strategic decisions on fleet makeup and vehicle numbers of each type. This problem is solved as a generalized assignment problem, within an algorithm for the overall distribution/routing problem that is based on Benders decomposition. We furnish two version of our algorithm denoted Technique I and II. The latter is an enhaancement of the former and is employed at the user's discretion. Computer solution of test problems is discussed.     

Bi-criteria dynamic location-routing problem for patrol coverage

In this paper, we address the problem of dynamic patrol routing for state troopers for effective coverage of highways. Specifically, a number of state troopers start their routes at temporary stations (TS), patrol critical locations with high crash frequencies, and end their shifts at other (or the same) TS so the starting points for the next period are also optimized. We determine the number of state troopers, their assigned routes, and the locations of the TS where they start and end their routes. The TS are selected from a given set of potential locations. The problem, therefore, is a multi-period dynamic location-routing problem in the context of public service. Our objective is to maximize the critical location coverage benefit while minimizing the costs of TS selections, vehicle utilizations, and routing/travel. The multi-objective nature of the problem is handled using an ?-constraint approach. We formulate the problem as a mixed integer linear programming model and solve it using both off-the-shelf optimization software and a custom-built, efficient heuristic algorithm. The heuristic, utilizing the hierarchical structure of the problem, is built on the decomposition of location and routing problems. By allowing routing to start from multiple locations, our model improves the coverage by as much as 12% compared with the single-depot coverage model.     

A hybrid tabu search based heuristic for the periodic distribution inventory problem with perishable goods

Most of the research on integrated inventory and routing problems ignores the case when products are perishable. However, considering the integrated problem with perishable goods is crucial since any discrepancy between the routing and inventory cost can double down the risk of higher obsolescence costs due to the limited shelf-life of the products. In this paper, we consider a distribution problem involving a depot, a set of customers and a homogeneous fleet of capacitated vehicles. Perishable goods are transported from the depot to customers in such a way that out-of-stock situations never occur. The objective is to simultaneously determine the inventory and routing decisions over a given time horizon such that total transportation cost is minimized. We present a new “arc-based formulation” for the problem which is deemed more suitable for our new tabu search based approach for solving the problem. We perform a thorough sensitivity analysis for each of the tabu search parameters individually and use the obtained gaps to fine-tune the parameter values that are used in solving larger sized instances of the problem. We solve different sizes of randomly generated instances and compare the results obtained using the tabu search algorithm to those obtained by solving the problem using CPLEX and a recently published column generation algorithm. Our computational experiments demonstrate that the tabu search algorithm is capable of obtaining a near-optimal solution in less computational time than the time required to solve the problem to optimality using CPLEX, and outperforms the column generation algorithm for solving the “path flow formulation” of the problem in terms of solution quality in almost all of the considered instances.     

Distribution systems design with two-level routing considerations

In this study, we formulate and analyze a strategic design model for three-echelon distribution systems with two-level routing considerations. The key design decisions considered are: the number and locations of distribution centers (DC’s), which big clients (clients with larger demand) should be included in the first level routing (the routing between plants and DC’s), the first-level routing between plants, DC’s and big clients, and the second-level routing between DC’s and other clients not included in the first-level routing. A hybrid genetic algorithm embedded with a routing heuristic is developed to efficiently find near-optimal solutions. The quality of the solution to a series of small test problems is evaluated—by comparison with the optimal solution solved using LINGO 9.0. In test problems for which exact solutions are available, the heuristic solution is within 1% of optimal. At last, the model is applied to design a national finished goods distribution system for a Taiwan label-stock manufacturer. Through the case study, we find that the inclusion of big clients in the first-level routing in the analysis leads to a better network design in terms of total logistic costs.     

A tabu search algorithm for the single vehicle routing allocation problem

In the single vehicle routing allocation problem (SVRAP) we have a single vehicle, together with a set of customers, and the problem is one of deciding a route for the vehicle (starting and ending at given locations) such that it visits some of the customers. Customers not visited by the vehicle can either be allocated to a customer on the vehicle route, or they can be isolated. The objective is to minimize a weighted sum of routing, allocation and isolation costs. One special case of the general SVRAP is the median cycle problem, also known as the ring star problem, where no isolated vertices are allowed. Other special cases include the covering tour problem, the covering salesman problem and the shortest covering path problem. In this paper, we present a tabu search algorithm for the SVRAP. Our tabu search algorithm includes aspiration, path relinking and frequency-based diversification. Computational results are presented for test problems used previously in the literature and our algorithm is compared with the results obtained by other researchers. We also report results for much larger problems than have been considered by others.     

Heuristic solution approaches for the cumulative capacitated vehicle routing problem

Cumulative capacitated vehicle routing problem (CCVRP) is an extension of the well-known capacitated vehicle routing problem, where the objective is minimization of sum of the arrival times at nodes instead of minimizing the total tour cost. This type of routing problem arises when a priority is given to customer needs or dispatching vital goods supply after a natural disaster. This paper focuses on comparing the performances of neighbourhood and population-based approaches for the new problem CCVRP. Genetic algorithm (GA), an evolutionary algorithm using particle swarm optimization mechanism with GA operators, and tabu search (TS) are compared in terms of required CPU time and obtained objective values. In addition, a nearest neighbourhood-based initial solution technique is also proposed within the paper. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper constitutes a base for comparisons along with GA, and TS for further possible publications on the new problem CCVRP.     

An approximation algorithm for the pickup and delivery vehicle routing problem on trees

This paper presents an approximation algorithm for a vehicle routing problem on a tree-shaped network with a single depot where there are two types of demands, pickup demand and delivery demand. Customers are located on nodes of the tree, and each customer has a positive demand of pickup and/or delivery.Demands of customers are served by a fleet of identical vehicles with unit capacity. Each vehicle can serve pickup and delivery demands. It is assumed that the demand of a customer is splittable, i.e., it can be served by more than one vehicle. The problem we are concerned with in this paper asks to find a set of tours of the vehicles with minimum total lengths. In each tour, a vehicle begins at the depot with certain amount of goods for delivery, visits a subset of the customers in order to deliver and pick up goods and returns to the depot. At any time during the tour, a vehicle must always satisfy the capacity constraint, i.e., at any time the sum of goods to be delivered and that of goods that have been picked up is not allowed to exceed the vehicle capacity. We propose a 2-approximation algorithm for the problem.     

Solving the dynamic capacitated location-routing problem with fuzzy demands by hybrid heuristic algorithm

In this paper, the dynamic capacitated location-routing problem with fuzzy demands (DCLRP-FD) is considered. In the DCLRP-FD, facility location problem and vehicle routing problem are solved on a time horizon. Decisions concerning facility locations are permitted to be made only in the first time period of the planning horizon but, the routing decisions may be changed in each time period. Furthermore, the vehicles and depots have a predefined capacity to serve the customers with altering demands during the time horizon. It is assumed that the demands of customers are fuzzy variables. To model the DCLRP-FD, a fuzzy chance-constrained programming is designed based upon the fuzzy credibility theory. To solve this problem, a hybrid heuristic algorithm (HHA) with four phases including the stochastic simulation and a local search method are proposed. To achieve the best value of two parameters of the model, the dispatcher preference index (DPI) and the assignment preference index (API), and to analyze their influences on the final solution, numerical experiments are carried out. Moreover, the efficiency of the HHA is demonstrated via comparing with the lower bound of solutions and by using a standard benchmark set of test problems. The numerical examples show that the proposed algorithm is robust and could be used in real world problems.