TY - JOUR
T1 - A systematic review of vehicle routing problems and models in multi-echelon distribution networks
AU - Nielsen, Peter
AU - Dahanayaka, Mahekha
AU - Perera, H.Niles
AU - Thibbotuwawa, Amila
AU - Kılıç, Deniz Kenan
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - The vehicle routing problem (VRP) is a combinatorial optimization problem that determines optimal routes to enhance distribution efficiency. One of the most popular strategies in freight distribution is multi-echelon distribution. Multi-echelon distribution networks often apply to supply chain management, land transportation, the maritime industry, aviation, etc., and rely on VRP. This comprehensive review systematically analyses 382 papers retrieved through the Scopus database. We use a bibliometric and network analysis tool to complete a systematic literature mapping identifying key interrelationships and research clusters. The analysis depicts five main research clusters: green logistics and decision analysis, scheduling and inventory optimization, VRP for city logistics, mathematical modeling and optimization, and outbound logistics and customer service, identified based on author keywords of the systematically derived paper pool. Each cluster is provided with foundational knowledge, concepts, theories, and employed techniques. Finally, future studies are suggested to explore more comprehensive investigation in highly discussed domains like city logistics problems in e-commerce, vehicle routing problems for sustainable logistics, and technological advancement-based applications.
AB - The vehicle routing problem (VRP) is a combinatorial optimization problem that determines optimal routes to enhance distribution efficiency. One of the most popular strategies in freight distribution is multi-echelon distribution. Multi-echelon distribution networks often apply to supply chain management, land transportation, the maritime industry, aviation, etc., and rely on VRP. This comprehensive review systematically analyses 382 papers retrieved through the Scopus database. We use a bibliometric and network analysis tool to complete a systematic literature mapping identifying key interrelationships and research clusters. The analysis depicts five main research clusters: green logistics and decision analysis, scheduling and inventory optimization, VRP for city logistics, mathematical modeling and optimization, and outbound logistics and customer service, identified based on author keywords of the systematically derived paper pool. Each cluster is provided with foundational knowledge, concepts, theories, and employed techniques. Finally, future studies are suggested to explore more comprehensive investigation in highly discussed domains like city logistics problems in e-commerce, vehicle routing problems for sustainable logistics, and technological advancement-based applications.
KW - Decision anaysis
KW - Green logistics
KW - Mathematical modeling
KW - Supply chain management
KW - Systematic review
KW - Vehicle routing problem
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sca.2024.100072
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85196868180&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.sca.2024.100072
DO - 10.1016/j.sca.2024.100072
M3 - Review article
SN - 2949-8635
VL - 7
JO - Supply Chain Analytics
JF - Supply Chain Analytics
M1 - 100072
ER -