Modeling and solving the problem of hub location and distribution network with time constraints, heterogeneous fleet and variety of products and a case study - cereals in Iran

Abstract

One of the new topics in location problems is the hub location problem. In this issue, some cargo is transferred from a series of sources to a series of destinations, but since the direct connection of each to the other is very expensive, a number of centers are considered as hub points. In this research, it is a hub location problem for the desired problem. Also, the vehicles load the cargo required by each node from the desired hub and deliver it to the nodes belonging to that hub. In this issue, the vehicles are heterogeneous and have specific capacity, speed, cost and fuel consumption. The presented conceptual model is mathematical modeling. The objective function of the model is multi-objective and includes objectives such as reducing system costs, minimizing travel time, reducing carbon dioxide production, and minimizing the difference between spokes and hubs in order to distribute justice. Also, there is a time limit for sending goods from one spoke to another due to the possibility of spoiling the goods. The problem in question is multi-period and multi-commodity. Due to the complexity of the problem, multi-objective genetic algorithm has been used to solve it in large dimensions.