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Using the vehicle routing problem for the transportation of hazardous materials

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Abstract

Transportation of hazardous materials (hazmats) is a decision problem that has been attracted much attention due to the risk factor involved. A considerable amount of models have been developed that employ single or multiple objective shortest path algorithms minimising the risks for a given origin-destination pair. However in many real life applications (i.e. transportation of gas cylinders), transportation of hazmats calls for the determination of a set of routes used by a fleet of trucks to serve a set of customers, rather than determination of a single optimal route as shortest path algorithms produce. In this paper, we focus on population exposure risk mitigation via production of truck-routes by solving a variant of the Vehicle Routing Problem. For this purpose we employ a single parameter metaheuristic algorithm. A case study of this approach is also demonstrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Politexneiou 9, 157 80, Zografou

    CD. Tarantilis & C. T. Kiranoudis

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  1. CD. Tarantilis
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  2. C. T. Kiranoudis
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Correspondence to CD. Tarantilis.

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Tarantilis, C., Kiranoudis, C.T. Using the vehicle routing problem for the transportation of hazardous materials. Oper Res Int J 1, 67–78 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02936400

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