Development of a Tool for Optimisation of Vehicle Routing Problem with Heterogeneous Vehicles

This thesis develops a decision-support tool for optimising vehicle routing at FarmTrans, addressing a complex Heterogeneous Fleet Vehicle Routing Problem with Pickup and Delivery and Time Windows (HF-VRPPDTW). The solution incorporates real-world constraints such as driver breaks, vehicle capacities, and electric vehicle charging. A metaheuristic based on Simulated Annealing is used to generate high-quality solutions efficiently. The tool evaluates fleet configurations and order volumes using key performance indicators like distance, utilisation, and cost. Results show significant improvements over existing planning methods and support strategic decisions around electric fleet adoption.