Routing of frozen food delivery using particle swarm optimization algorithm

Abstract

Refrigerated food or frozen food has been rapidly increased due to lifestyle changes. However, frozen food contains perishable products, prone to damaged and deterioration in quality during the distribution process. This paper focuses on determining the best routing in cold chain distribution for a frozen food product. Cold chain distribution generally requires strict temperature and time control to maintain food quality. Frozen food products with low thermal inertia, such as ice cream, are more susceptible to disruption during the cold chain distribution process. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been developed to address the routing problems by considering various characteristics of perishable product shipments, including the consumed energy by storage equipment and perishable factors during the distribution process affecting inventory costs. Furthermore, the algorithm is employed to overcome a real case in an ice cream distributor in Malang, East Java. Based on the total cost of the initially proposed, it is concluded that the proposed route is capable of reducing the cost by IDR 401.962 or saving of 22,74% for one day of delivery.