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Two-echelon vehicle routing problems: A literature review

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  • Sluijk, Natasja
  • Florio, Alexandre M.
  • Kinable, Joris
  • Dellaert, Nico
  • Van Woensel, Tom

Abstract

In the two-echelon vehicle routing problem (2E-VRP), the distribution network is split into two echelons. Different vehicles are operated on the first and second echelon to maintain economies of scale and adhere to any vehicle restrictions that may be present in either echelon. Intermediate facilities are located at the borders of the echelons to facilitate the consolidation and transshipment of goods between echelons. Examples of two-echelon distribution systems include express delivery, grocery and hypermarket products distribution, multi-modal freight transportation, city logistics, and e-commerce and home delivery services. In recent years, the body of literature on the 2E-VRP has expanded significantly. Over 60 research papers have appeared in the scientific literature so far, which underlines both the academic and practical relevance of 2E-VRPs. In this review, we structure and revise all literature on the 2E-VRP. Mathematical formulations, exact and heuristic solution methods, and benchmark datasets used to test and evaluate new algorithms are reviewed and discussed. This survey concludes with a selected list of open research areas on 2E-VRPs.

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  • Sluijk, Natasja & Florio, Alexandre M. & Kinable, Joris & Dellaert, Nico & Van Woensel, Tom, 2023. "Two-echelon vehicle routing problems: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 304(3), pages 865-886.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:304:y:2023:i:3:p:865-886
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2022.02.022
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    6. Vincent F. Yu & Panca Jodiawan & Shih-Wei Lin & Winy Fara Nadira & Anna Maria Sri Asih & Le Nguyen Hoang Vinh, 2024. "Using Simulated Annealing to Solve the Multi-Depot Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Window and Self-Delivery Option," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Zhou, Hang & Qin, Hu & Cheng, Chun & Rousseau, Louis-Martin, 2023. "An exact algorithm for the two-echelon vehicle routing problem with drones," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 124-150.
    8. Milovan Kovač & Snežana Tadić & Mladen Krstić & Miloš Veljović, 2023. "A Methodology for Planning City Logistics Concepts Based on City-Dry Port Micro-Consolidation Centres," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-21, July.
    9. Muriel, Juan E. & Zhang, Lele & Fransoo, Jan C. & Villegas, Juan G., 2024. "A reinforcement learning framework for improving parking decisions in last-mile delivery," Other publications TiSEM b3811dad-50fa-486b-8255-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    10. Yuxin Liu & Zihang Qin & Jin Liu, 2023. "An Improved Genetic Algorithm for the Granularity-Based Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-15, July.

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