A fuzzy mathematics based optimal delivery scheduling approach

An optimal scheduling approach has been developed for coordinating product delivery activities using fuzzy mathematics. In this approach, optimal delivery scheduling is carried out at three different levels, for situations involving: (1) one driver and one load, (2) one driver and multiple loads, and (3) multiple drivers and multiple loads. Fuzzy-based clustering methods are employed to classify delivery tasks into driver groups, load groups, and location groups. The optimal sequence and timing parameters of delivery tasks are identified using the fuzzy mathematics based clustering results and state-space search. The intelligent optimal delivery scheduling system was implemented using Smalltalk, an object oriented programming language. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.