Multipoint Distribution Vehicle Routing Optimization Problem considering Random Demand and Changing Load

In the distribution scenario, the using cost of vehicles is closely related to energy consumption, and the energy consumption rate of a vehicle is closely related to the size of its load. The traditional vehicle routing optimization model takes the shortest distance as the optimization goal when the customer demand is determined, while the influence of the random demand and the changing load on the energy consumption and cost of vehicles in the process of distribution is ignored. Therefore, in this paper, load varying vehicle routing problem with stochastic demands (LVGVRPSD) model is proposed with the goal of minimizing transportation energy consumption and considering the load variability and the randomness of customer demand. K-means clustering algorithm is combined with ant colony optimization (ACO) to solve the problem, and the constraint of risk probability is introduced to describe the vehicle overload problem. Examples in the standard vehicle routing problem test data set are provided and analyzed. LVGVRPSD is also compared with the traditional capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) model. The case study results show that the vehicle energy consumption can be reduced by 2% in the model that considers changing load compared to the model that does not consider changing load. The results illustrate that the method of path optimization is more advantageous and reasonable in the pursuit of reducing energy consumption, when the changing load and the random demand of customer are considered.