Optimization of the Milk-run route for inbound logistics of auto parts under low-carbon economy

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions have brought serious negative impacts on human beings and organisms, so energy saving and emission reduction have been recognized by more and more people. Traditional Milk-run model seldom considers the factors of energy saving and emission reduction, and its routing optimization cannot meet the current needs of low-carbon economic development. On the basis of traditional Vehicle Routing Problem research, considering the fixed cost, time penalty cost, energy consumption cost and carbon emission cost of vehicles, the Milk-run model of distribution routing considering carbon emissions under time window constraints is studied. Then the improved ant colony algorithm is used to solve the constructed model. Finally, the order and related data of a company are used to verify the validity and practicality of the model and algorithm. Compared to the scanning method, the results show that not only the total journey distance has been shortened but also the total cost and cost of carbon emissions have been reduced. The optimization of distribution routing considering carbon emissions can reduce the distribution cost of logistics enterprises, respond to the call of low-carbon development in China and help to achieve a win-win situation of social and economic benefits.

Energy Consumption Optimization of Milk-Run-Based In-Plant Supply Solutions: An Industry 4.0 Approach

“…In addition, the average energy consumption per weight unit was 0.089 kW/kg in the case of conventional supply optimization and 0.053 kW/kg in the case of real-time routing. This reflects a 40.4% energy saving, which concurs with the previous study [6] that showed how the optimization model helped to minimize travel distance and with other studies [13,17,24] where using I4.0 optimization and milk-run routes raised the energy efficiency for manufacturing systems in the automotive industry. Further, this supports the previous studies [22,25] that showed a positive impact of I4.0 technologies on the scheduling processes in manufacturing systems.…”

“…In another study in Turkey [6], an optimization model was presented to minimize the transportation cost by minimizing the travel distance and maximizing vehicle capacity while it tackled a milk-run situation. It was also considered [24] as a solution to minimize carbon emissions and reduce the distribution cost of logistics enterprises, and it was described as a win-win situation for social and economic aspects. In another consideration for forward and reverse milk-run vehicle routing and scheduling, constraints imposed by an in-plant distribution network were modeled [25].…”

Optimization of routing problems in manufacturing supply

“…The application of milkrun supply solutions is especially important in the case of high-frequency, small quantity demands, therefore the supply of manufacturing and assembly plants is a potential application field of milkrun supply solutions. The design aspects can include the cost reduction, the improvement of energy efficiency and the emission reduction [5].…”