Solving a real-world vehicle routing problem with multiple use of tractors and trailers and EU-regulations for drivers arising in air cargo road feeder services

In this paper we present two approaches for solving a real-world vehicle routing problem arising in the air cargo road feeder service business. The problem is to combine transportation tasks from a given timetable to trips which have to be assigned to tractors and which can be operated by tractor drivers respecting the restrictive rules on driving times from EC Regulation No. 561/2006. Tractor trips which start and end at the hub can be combined to multiple-trips which are operated by the same tractor. Also, to each trip a trailer has to be assigned which is compatible with all tasks in the trip. The primary objective is to minimize the number of required tractors, i.e. the number of multiple-trips. The methods developed are currently applied in practice.

Research highlights
► We present solution approaches for a complex VRP arising in air cargo road feeder services.
► Tractors can perform multiple-trips with different trailers.
► The rules on driving times from EC Regulation No. 561/2006 are respected.
► Compatibilities between trailers and tasks are respected.
► Problem decomposition into trip generation and trip aggregation yields the best results.