A fuzzy tabu search approach to solve a vehicle routing problem

In this paper, we develop a framework to solve a multi-objective fuzzy vehicle routing problem. The decision variables in the problem are found in the routing decisions and the determination of the pickup order for a set of loads and available trucks. The objective to minimize is both the total time and distance traveled by all the vehicles. The uncertainty in the model is inspired from a timber transportation context, where times are, and sometimes even distances, uncertain. Because of lack of statistical data the uncertainties are sometimes best described as fuzzy numbers. The model developed is solved with a tabu search method, allowing for the above mentioned uncertainties. Finally, the framework is also illustrated with a numerical example.