Transportation analysis techniques
• Heuristic approaches
– Use rule-of-thumb techniques to sequentially add and delete stops
• Exact approaches
– Use linear programming to identify best routes
• Interactive approaches
– Use simulation, cost calculator or graphics capability to support interactive decision process
• Combination approaches
– Blend of the three approaches is very effective
• Criteria for evaluating approaches
– How general is the approach?
• E.g. special situations, multiple depots, time windows, vehicle capacities
– How accurate is the approach?
Is it a close approximation of performance characteristics