Aplicação de algoritmos heurísticos para resolução de um problema de roteamento de veículos com periodicidade

Abstract

The vehicle routing problem (VRP) is one of the most studied problems around combinatorial optimization, given its wide applicability in sectors such as distribution, collection, and planning. In this work, we analyzed an extension of the VRP called the periodic vehicle routing problem (PVRP), in which customers are organized by region and have different visit frequencies, with the objective of finding the best routes from a depot to serve each customer exactly once. To solve this problem, we developed heuristic algorithms based on constructive and local search methods, aiming to obtain approximate solutions efficiently. In addition to computational development, the work involved practical aspects of operational planning, cost optimization and business management, considering real constraints, such as fixed visiting days. The implementation of the proposed solutions brought impacts on planning management, resulting in gains such as increased productivity, reduced fuel consumption and improved company competitiveness. Furthermore, the system to be developed will facilitate financial planning by allowing a prior estimate of the total mileage traveled in each period, helping to control expenses. In this context, the use of collaborative digital tools, such as Google Sheets and Google Colab, was essential for modeling and analyzing data, allowing intuitive visualization of information and automation of processes. The creation of a dashboard through Looker Studio integrated the results obtained demonstrate that the combination of heuristics and support technologies can bring improvements in planning management. Despite the effectiveness of the implemented model, opportunities for improvement in the distribution of tasks among the company's sectors were identified through the creation of the flowchart. Thus, this study reinforces the importance of planning optimization based on consulting, computational intelligence, and digital tools, highlighting its impact on operational efficiency, cost reduction and business sustainability.