Modelling and solving the bi-objective production–transportation problem with time windows and social sustainability

Abstract

We model and solve the production routing problem (PRP) with time windows, product deterioration and split delivery. A bi-objective PRP model for a single perishable product, which is subject to deterioration, is presented. The two objectives represent the economic and social aspects of sustainability, whereas the environmental impact is enforced by incorporating ad-hoc constraints. The economic dimension of sustainability consists of minimizing the costs related to the production, setup, holding, transportation and lateness penalty. The social responsibilities are modelled through maximizing the total freshness of the delivered products at all nodes over the planning horizon. The outcomes of our formulation are represented by the lot sizes, and the amounts of product to be delivered, as well as the routing at each planning period. To solve the resulting problem, we develop an interval robust possibilistic approach, and we carry out an experimental study and a sensitivity analysis. Finally, we further validate our optimization model and solution method using a real-life case of a food factory producing a product that is subject to perishability and deterioration.