Comparison of three IRP-based models to reduce logistics costs and greenhouse gas emissions

Abstract

Goods distribution processes must reconcile the economic interests of the companies, which seek higher levels of profitability through costs reduction and service level improvements, with the negative impacts to society and environment, such as chemical pollution and the generation of vehicular congestion and accidents. This paper presents the comparison of three models that analyze the logistics costs associated with the distribution of goods and the greenhouse gas emissions generated by such processes. These models use the Vehicle Routing Problem (IRP) as the basis for optimizing the logistics activities, from which, through multi-objective approaches the CO2 emissions are analyzed. As the main result of the article, it can be observed that the multiobjective models allow finding an adequate combination between logistics costs and emissions, which is attractive to companies and society.