Fuzzy Neighborhood Approach to Vehicle Routing Problem

Abstract

A fuzzy neighborhood approach is proposed based on a concept of Neighborhood Degree (ND) to evaluate the optimality of the delivery route dynamically and quantitatively in the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) and to support the expert planner's decision making. The ND allows fuzzy quantitative evaluation (within the interval [0, 1]) by using the real cost information between users given in advance. The experimental results show the validity of the fuzzy neighborhood approach by using real convenience store daily delivery data (46 shops) in Japan. The proposed fuzzy neighborhood approach provides a basic tool for the application to door to door delivery service and other similarity problem.