Multi-echelon green open-location-routing problem: A robust-based stochastic optimization approach

Abstract

In recent years, it has been proven that promoting and observing environmental competence could play an instrumental role in enhancing companies/countries' industries in terms of sustainable development. In this study, a Green Open Location-Routing Problem with Simultaneous Pickup and Delivery (GOLRPSPD) is considered to minimize general costs. In addition to the signi cance of cost minimization, the objective function aims at promoting environmental competency in terms of the costs of CO2 emissions and fuel consumptions. Meanwhile, in a complex situation, using precise information could yield unreliable results in which considering uncertainty theories could prevent data loss. In this respect, this study assumed the pickup and delivery demand and travel time as probabilistic parameters. To address the issue, a robust stochastic programming approach was developed to reduce the deviations of imprecise information. Moreover, the proposed approach was applied based on ve scenarios to decide the best decision in di erent situations. In addition, a practical example of the multi-echelon open-location-routing model was provided to represent the feasibility and applicability of the presented robust stochastic programming approach. Finally, comparative and sensitivity analyses were carried out to demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach and, also, to point out the robustness and sensitiveness of the obtained results regarding some signi cant parameters.