Multi-objective optimization of a two-echelon vehicle routing problem with vehicle synchronization and ‘grey zone’ customers arising in urban logistics

Abstract We present a multi-ob’jective two-echelon vehicle routing problem with synchronization and ‘grey zone’ customers arising in the context of urban freight deliveries. Inner-city center deliveries are performed by small vehicles due to access restrictions, while outside this area carried out conventional for economic reasons. Goods transferred from first second echelon synchronized meetings between respective echelons. investigate assignment vehicles, i.e., or echelon, within so-called on border inner city around it. While doing this, objective as well negative external effects transport, such emissions disturbance (negative impact citizens noise congestion), taken into account include objectives companies municipal authorities. Our metaheuristic – large neighborhood search embedded heuristic rectangle/cuboid splitting addresses efficiently. free part (‘grey zone’) echelons three different layouts solution. Computational results show that thus these depend significantly layout city. Potentially pareto-optimal solutions two illustrated efficiently support decision makers sustainable logistics planning processes.