Study on Multi-Depot Location Routing Problems within an Urban Road Network Topology

In order to reduce logistics distribution system costs, this paper proposed a two-layer distribution network model for the multi-objective multi-depot location routing problem (MOMDLRP) in an urban area. This problem considered the shortest-path between factory to distribution center (lower layer) and the location routing from distribution center to customer (upper layer). In this study, the geo-information system (GIS) was also employed for the necessary concern of urban road network topology structure and road passage capacity in the real world. By the principle of urban road connection and road grading as well as with the consideration of balanced workload, the proposed model aimed at minimizing the total cost to determine the distribution center’s location, quantity, customer allocation and vehicle routing. To this end, the proposed model in this paper is much better in practical application.