A Meteheuristic Method for the Multi Trip Vehicle Routing Problem

Abstract : In recent years the number of passengers and freight vehicles increased in urban areas causing traffic congestion and increasing air and noise pollution. The need of an efficient distribution system that takes into account distribution cost, but at the same time considers environmental aspects aims the concept of city logistics. Vehicles could have limited capacity, due to laws restriction imposed and the narrowness of streets that characterize historical parts of downtowns. Then, it seems normal to allow vehicles accomplish several trips during the working day. MTVRP arises in this context. A MA is proposed to face the problem.