Two-Echelon Vehicle Routing Problems: a review, some models and direction for future research

Event details

This event discusses the relevant work around two-echelon vehicle routing problem.

Abstract

In the two-echelon vehicle routing problem (2E-VRP), the distribution network is split into two echelons. Different vehicles are operated on the first and second echelon to maintain economies of scale and adhere to any vehicle restrictions that may be present in either echelon. Intermediate facilities are located at the borders of the echelons to facilitate the consolidation and transhipment of goods between echelons.

Examples of two-echelon distribution systems include express delivery, grocery and hypermarket products distribution, multi-modal freight transportation, city logistics, and e-commerce and home delivery services. In recent years, the body of literature on the 2E-VRP has expanded significantly.

Many research papers have appeared in the scientific literature so far, which underlines both the academic and practical relevance of 2E-VRPs. In this review, we structure and revise all literature on the 2E-VRP. Mathematical formulations and benchmark datasets used to test and to evaluate new algorithms are reviewed and discussed.

Biography

Tom Van Woensel is a Full Professor of Freight Transport and Logistics in the OPAC group (Operations, Planning, Accounting and Control) of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven in the Netherlands. In July 2019, he is appointed as the Director of Education and Graduate Program Director of the Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (similar to Associate Dean of Education with around 2300 students in the various BSc, MSc, and Ph.D. programs).

He is also the program chair of the Bachelor Program in Industrial Engineering (around 850 undergraduate students). His research is mainly focused on Freight Transport and Logistics. He published over 125 papers in leading academic journals (including Management Science, Transportation Science, Transportation Research Part B, C, D, E, Production and Operations Management, etc.). His current h-index is 53, with around 10,000 citations to his work. Prof. dr. Van Woensel is also director of the European Supply Chain Forum, a collaborative effort with about 75 large multinational companies.

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