Attention-Based Neural Network for Solving the Green Vehicle Routing Problem in Waste Management

23.08.23: Trekkes tilbake fra visning som løsning på at oppgaven ble ferdigstilt fra studieadministrasjonen litt for fort/IHTIThe transport sector is a major contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollution. As urbanization and population growth continue to increase, the demand for transportation services grows, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. Therefore, incorporating sustainability into the transport sector can effectively reduce its negative impacts on the environment and optimize the utilization of resources. This thesis aims to address this issue by proposing a novel method that integrates neural networks into the development of a green vehicle routing model. By incorporating environmental considerations, particularly fuel consumption, into the optimization process, the model seeks to generate more sustainable route solutions. The integration of machine learning techniques, specifically an attention-based neural network, demonstrates the potential of combining machine learning with operations research for effective route optimization. While the effectiveness of the green vehicle routing problem (GVRP) has been demonstrated in providing sustainable routes, its practical applications in real-world scenarios are still limited. Therefore, this thesis proposes the implementation of the GVRP model in a real-world waste collection routing problem. The study utilizes data obtained from Remiks, a waste management company responsible for waste collection and handling in Tromsø and Karlsøy. The findings of this study highlight the promising synergy between machine learning and operations research for further advancements and real-world applications. Specifically, the application of the GVRP approach to waste management issues has been shown to reduce emissions during the waste collection process compared to routes optimized solely for distance minimization. The attention-based neural network approach successfully generates routes that minimize fuel consumption, outperforming distance-optimized routes. These results underscore the importance of leveraging the GVRP to address environmental challenges while enhancing decision-making efficiency and effectiveness. Overall, this thesis provides insights for developing sustainable and optimized routes for real-world problems

Efficient Fuel Consumption Minimization for Green Vehicle Routing Problems using a Hybrid Neural Network-Optimization Algorithm

Efficient routing optimization yields benefits that extend beyond mere financial gains. In this thesis, we present a methodology that utilizes a graph convolutional neural network to facilitate the development of energy-efficient waste collection routes. Our approach focuses on a Waste company in Tromsø, Remiks, and uses real-life datasets, ensuring practicability and ease of implementation. In particular, we extend the dpdp algorithm introduced by Kool et al. (2021) [1] to minimize fuel consumption and devise routes that account for the impact of elevation and real road distance traveled. Our findings shed light on the potential advantages and enhancements these optimized routes can offer Remiks, including improved effectiveness and cost savings. Additionally, we identify key areas for future research and development

A Survey on Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Routing Problem and a Proposal of Its Classification

The growth of environmental awareness and more robust enforcement of numerous regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have directed efforts towards addressing current environmental challenges. Considering the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), one of the effective strategies to control greenhouse gas emissions is to convert the fossil fuel-powered fleet into Environmentally Friendly Vehicles (EFVs). Given the multitude of constraints and assumptions defined for different types of VRPs, as well as assumptions and operational constraints specific to each type of EFV, many variants of environmentally friendly VRPs (EF-VRP) have been introduced. In this paper, studies conducted on the subject of EF-VRP are reviewed, considering all the road transport EFV types and problem variants, and classifying and discussing with a single holistic vision. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it determines a classification of EF-VRP studies based on different types of EFVs, i.e., Alternative-Fuel Vehicles (AFVs), Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles (HVs). Second, it presents a comprehensive survey by considering each variant of the classification, technical constraints and solution methods arising in the literature. The results of this paper show that studies on EF-VRP are relatively novel and there is still room for large improvements in several areas. So, to determine future insights, for each classification of EF-VRP studies, the paper provides the literature gaps and future research needs