A Variable Neighbourhood Search for the Workforce Scheduling and Routing Problem
نویسندگان
چکیده
The workforce scheduling and routing problem (WSRP) is a combinatorial optimisation problem where a set of workers must perform visits to geographically scattered locations. We present a Variable Neighbourhood Search (VNS) metaheuristic algorithm to tackle this problem, incorporating two novel heuristics tailored to the problem-domain. The first heuristic restricts the search space using a priority list of candidate workers and the second heuristic seeks to reduce the violation of specific soft constraints. We also present two greedy constructive heuristics to give the VNS a good starting point. We show that the use of domain-knowledge in the design of the algorithm can provide substantial improvements in the quality of solutions. The proposed VNS provides the first benchmark results for the set of real-world WSRP scenarios considered.
منابع مشابه
A Combined Stochastic Programming and Robust Optimization Approach for Location-Routing Problem and Solving it via Variable Neighborhood Search algorithm
The location-routing problem is one of the combined problems in the area of supply chain management that simultaneously make decisions related to location of depots and routing of the vehicles. In this paper, the single-depot capacitated location-routing problem under uncertainty is presented. The problem aims to find the optimal location of a single depot and the routing of vehicles to serve th...
متن کاملA Simulated Annealing Algorithm within the Variable Neighbourhood Search Framework to Solve the Capacitated Facility Location-Allocation Problem
In this study, we discuss the capacitated facility location-allocation problem with uncertain parameters in which the uncertainty is characterized by given finite numbers of scenarios. In this model, the objective function minimizes the total expected costs of transportation and opening facilities subject to the robustness constraint. To tackle the problem efficiently and effectively, an effici...
متن کاملImproving Metaheuristic Performance by Evolving a Variable Fitness Function
In this paper we study a complex real world workforce scheduling problem. We apply constructive search and variable neighbourhood search (VNS) metaheuristics and enhance these methods by using a variable fitness function. The variable fitness function (VFF) uses an evolutionary approach to evolve weights for each of the (multiple) objectives. The variable fitness function can potentially enhanc...
متن کاملInvestigating Zone Pricing in a Location-Routing Problem Using a Variable Neighborhood Search Algorithm
In this paper, we assume a firm tries to determine the optimal price, vehicle route and location of the depot in each zone to maximise its profit. Therefore, in this paper zone pricing is studied which contributes to the literature of location-routing problems (LRP). Zone pricing is one of the most important pricing policies that are prevalently used by many companies. The proposed problem is v...
متن کاملA Vehicle Routing Problem with Inventory in a Hybrid Uncertain Environment
Manufacturers, who re-supply a large number of customers, continually struggle with the question of how to formulate a replenishment strategy. The purpose of this paper is to determine the optimal set of routes for a group of vehicles in the transportation network under defined constraints – which is known as the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) – delivering new items, and resolving the invent...
متن کامل