Urban Regional Logistics Distribution Path Planning Considering Road Characteristics

Abstract

Generally, road characteristics (such as the longitudinal slope and pavement damage) have an important effect on logistics distribution path, not only the vehicle fuel economy and driving safety but also the benefits and efficiency of logistics companies. It is necessary to explore the influence of road characteristics on logistics distribution path planning. First, a road characteristics evaluation value is defined to quantify road characteristics. With the application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the road characteristics evaluation index system with three criteria and eleven indices was built, and then the calculation of the road characteristics evaluation value is proposed based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Secondly, a mathematical model of logistics distribution path planning is proposed, in which road characteristics and distance are comprehensively considered. Thirdly, an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is presented with customized crossover operator for the solution of the mathematical model. Finally, through simulation by a real example, the influences of road characteristics and distance on the optimal distribution path are discussed, and the results show the model considering the road characteristics and distance comprehensively achieves superior distribution paths to that considering the distance or road characteristics only.