Optimization and simulation of express's vehicle routing in commercial district based on ant colony algorithm

Abstract

Nowadays, the quantity of express packages is very large and the requirement of timeliness is also increasing in commercial district, so to optimize the vehicle routing for express's delivery in commercial district is the key point to improve the express enterprises' service level and competitiveness and it is the purpose of the study. Service node, the last operation in express network, is mainly to collect and deliver the express packages. In this study, the mode of mobile warehouse milk-run delivery is put forward by considering the key factors that impact the express company's competitiveness and the optimal path is found with ant colony algorithm. This paper's innovation is that a new and unique mode of network node's operation for express enterprises in downtown delivery is put forward and provides a method of path planning, then the proposed delivery model and algorithm are proven by simulating and analyzing at the SF's network node (E-World node) of Zhongguancun branch with the result that the cost of express delivery reduced and the efficiency of delivery improved, thereby the service level and competitive ability of express enterprise get improved greatly. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information.