In this paper, a Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS)-based metaheuristic is
developed that guides a Branch & Bound (B&B) algorithm to find the globally
optimal solution to the heterogeneous fleet composition problem while
considering vehicle routing. Fleet Size and Mix Vehicle Routing Problem with
Time Windows (FSMVRPTW). The metaheuristic and exact algorithms are implemented
in a parallel hybrid optimization algorithm where the metaheuristic rapidly
finds feasible solutions that provide candidate upper bounds for the B&B
algorithm which runs simultaneously. The MCTS additionally provides a candidate
fleet composition to initiate the B&B search. Experiments show that the
proposed approach results in significant improvements in computation time and
convergence to the optimal solution.Comment: Submitted to the IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium 202