Metaheuristics for a VRP on Bipartite Graphs with Distance Constraints

Abstract

We present a hyerarchical Metaheuristic nested on two levels, developped to tackle a special Vehicle Routing Problem with unit load. Drivers duties restrictions impose a maximum duration on routes. Routes are made of elementary tours, which must be packed into feasible routes. Thus we have a bin packing structure at the outer level, and several VRPs at the inner level. The solution approach alternates between the outer and the inner problem