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Route Optimization of Mobile Medical Unit with Reinforcement Learning

Author

Listed:
  • Shruti Maheshwari

    (Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, Pune 412115, Maharashtra, India)

  • Pramod Kumar Jain

    (Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University Campus, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India)

  • Ketan Kotecha

    (Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, Pune 412115, Maharashtra, India)

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a solution for optimizing the routes of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in the domain of vehicle routing and scheduling. The generic objective is to optimize the distance traveled by the MMUs as well as optimizing the associated cost. These MMUs are located at a central depot. The idea is to provide improved healthcare to the rural people of India. The solution is obtained in two stages: preparing a mathematical model with the most suitable parameters, and then in the second phase, implementing an algorithm to obtain an optimized solution. The solution is focused on multiple parameters, including the number of vans, number of specialists, total distance, total travel time, and others. The solution is further supported by Reinforcement Learning, explaining the best possible optimized route and total distance traveled.

Suggested Citation

  • Shruti Maheshwari & Pramod Kumar Jain & Ketan Kotecha, 2023. "Route Optimization of Mobile Medical Unit with Reinforcement Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:3937-:d:1076001
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Prashant Singh & Ankush R. Kamthane & Ajinkya N. Tanksale, 2021. "Metaheuristics for the distance constrained generalized covering traveling salesman problem," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 58(3), pages 575-609, September.
    2. Eda Yücel & F. Sibel Salman & Burçin Bozkaya & Cemre Gökalp, 2020. "A data-driven optimization framework for routing mobile medical facilities," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 291(1), pages 1077-1102, August.
    3. Büsing, Christina & Comis, Martin & Schmidt, Eva & Streicher, Manuel, 2021. "Robust strategic planning for mobile medical units with steerable and unsteerable demands," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 295(1), pages 34-50.
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