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Solving a Flexible, Multi-Objective Multi-Depot VRP and IRP Considering 3DP and Sustainability with Several Levels in the Transportation Network

Esfahani, Behdad | 2022

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: English
  3. Document No: 55508 (51)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology, International Campus, Kish Island
  5. Department: Science and Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Haji, Alireza; Fatahi Valilai, Omid
  7. Abstract:
  8. A sustainable supply chain requires constant sustainable changes in the design and performance of its steps. The main characteristic of sustainability is the consideration of social, environmental and economic criteria in strategic and operational decisions. Due to the great importance of the sustainability in transportation network, proper planning and careful design for this issue in recent years has been considered and welcomed by relevant researchers. In this research we want to provide an integrated frame work for transportation network design toward sustainability. In this regard, we also use 3D printing technology as our innovation in operations. Our main issue is the Inventory Routing Problem (IRP), which can be extended to Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) by considering several stages of 3D printing in several production centres. The innovation of our model is related to its multi-level that a vehicle may commute between more than 5 centres and create different distance loops. Our problem is multi-level, closed-loop VRP, because the vehicle has two paths ahead after leaving the depot. It can be said this model is flexible too. In each of these two loops, it passes through several locations (supplier, recycling center, several production centers) and returns to the depot by delivering and picking up materials. Also, in addition to usual constraints in VRPs, like vehicle capacity, the weight of the goods is also discussed. In this model, we want to optimize the amount of carbon emissions, the cost of vehicles and the recycling rate considering heterogeneous fleet. In this regard, we have used Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and Python software and tested the model with several various scenarios. Finally, model has shown good results for minimizing carbon emissions, reducing costs and increasing recycling rates. By applying the scenarios to the model, it is realized that the number of electric vehicles used compared to diesel, and the amount of recycled materials can be increased. Also, in general, several production centers can be served by one vehicle, which in itself reduces the use of vehicles.
  9. Keywords:
  10. Recycling ; Carbon Emission ; Three Dimentional Printing ; Stability ; Vehicle Routing Problem ; Inventory-Routing Problem (IRP) ; Sustainable Supply Chain

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