High-speed planning method for cooperative logistics networks using mixed integer programming model and dummy load

Abstract

Adequate response performance is required for the planning of a cooperative logistic network covering multiple enterprises, because this process needs a human expert's evaluation from many aspects. To satisfy this requirement, we propose an accurate model based on mixed integer programming for optimizing cooperative logistics networks where "round transportation" exists together with "depot transportation" including lower limit constraints of loading ratio for round transportation vehicles. Furthermore, to achieve interactive response performance, a dummy load is introduced into the model instead of integer variables. The experimental result shows the proposed method obtains an accurate solution within interactive response time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.