Title: A combined approach of multiple-criteria decision analysis and discrete-event simulation: lessons learned from a fleet composition study

Authors: Luis Filipe Figueira De Faria; Luíze Fernandes De Asevedo; José Geraldo Vidal Vieira; João Eduardo Azevedo Ramos Da Silva

Addresses: Departamento de Engenharia de Produção de Sorocaba, Federal University of São Carlos - Sorocaba Campus, Rod. João Leme dos Santos, km110, CEP18052-780, Bairro Itinga, Sorocaba/SP, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia de Produção de Sorocaba, Federal University of São Carlos - Sorocaba Campus, Rod. João Leme dos Santos, km110, CEP18052-780, Bairro Itinga, Sorocaba/SP, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia de Produção de Sorocaba, Federal University of São Carlos - Sorocaba Campus, Rod. João Leme dos Santos, km110, CEP18052-780, Bairro Itinga, Sorocaba/SP, Brazil ' Departamento de Engenharia de Produção de Sorocaba, Federal University of São Carlos - Sorocaba Campus, Rod. João Leme dos Santos, km110, CEP18052-780, Bairro Itinga, Sorocaba/SP, Brazil

Abstract: This study proposes a framework for a decision of the fleet composition problem based on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria, which is a hybrid method for decision-making support that combines MCDA and simulation techniques in a multicriteria scenario for fleet composition. The proposed framework is able, using simulations, to address the complexity of criteria considered in a fleet composition problem in order to increase the preciseness of the decision-making process. From the solutions evaluated, there was a change in the preference of the alternative initially chosen after simulation, which is considered to refine the solution provided by the MCDA method. Considering only the MCDA method, the cost is prioritised and the solution uses exclusively high capacity trucks. Using the simulation and a different weighing process, the service level has a greater importance and a percentage of smaller trucks is admitted as part of the fleet.

Keywords: combined approach; fleet composition; multiple-criteria decision analysis; discrete-event simulation; framework; decision making; operational research; hybrid method; heterogeneous fleet; solution evaluation.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.106915

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2020 Vol.9 No.2, pp.97 - 119

Received: 20 Dec 2018
Accepted: 28 Aug 2019
Published online: 27 Apr 2020 *

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