Capacitated vehicle routing problem in FlexSim

[sudheer_r]

[ FlexSim 21.1.3 ]

Can we use FlexSim to solve Capacitated vehicle routing problem.

For example 50 locations where orders requests are coming and we have 5 storage places from where delivery is planned.

Output should be number of trucks and their routes.

Optquest is the one which first got in to my mind. Just checking any one who already had implemented in FlexSim.

Or FlexSim is not the one we need to use for Capacitated vehicle routing problems?

[JordanLJohnson · Accepted solution]

I think you could use the optimizer for this. I would build a model where you can use a parameter to adjust the number of trucks, and where you can use another parameter to adjust the sequence that orders are loaded on to trucks. As far as the route goes, the truck just delivers each item in order. In a good sequence, the truck will stop at each location once.

The objective would probably be something like "minimize delivery time". But you also want to minimize the number of trucks you use. So you'll want to use two objectives, and look at the tradeoff between how long the delivery takes, and how many trucks you use. I'm assuming you want less than 50 trucks.

[ryan_c10]

Hi @sudheer.r, was Jordan Johnson's answer helpful? If so, please click the red "Accept" button at the bottom of their answer. Or if you still have questions, add a comment and we'll continue the conversation.

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[sudheer_r]

@Jordan Johnson very small model helpful to see how we can use optquest for this kind of problems?

[JordanLJohnson]

Here is a related example:

SequenceOptimizationDemo.fsm

It shows how to use a sequence parameter to sequence the work in this model. In your case, instead of feeding the jobs onto machines, you would load them in trucks. Then the trucks would look at each loaded item, travel to its destination, and unload it. You can just replace "Processing" and item with "Delivering" an item.

[sudheer_r]

@Jordan Johnson I was going through the model

below user command is throwing up error

setUpExperimenterOptimizerVariables

[JordanLJohnson]

Sorry, I uploaded an old version. Here's a better one:

SequenceOptimizationDemo.fsm

[melissa_f2]

hello @Jordan Johnson

I'm having trouble moving forward on a project that I want to simulate on flexim. (I have 5 cities and a warehouse and two 10-ton trucks. Each of the cities has different demands. I would like to simulate this vehicle routing problem in order to optimize transport time and costs). Could you please help me.

[JordanLJohnson]

Hi @Melissa F2 ,

This sounds like a good question. However, it is currently posted as an answer to a previous question. I am working on the answer to your question. However, it would be helpful if you could post this as a new Question. That will make it easier for other people to find the question, as well as the answer.

[melissa_f2]

Thanks you for your answer @Jordan Johnson. I agree with you and i am going to repost my question correctly.