Title: An efficient approach for the petrol station replenishment problem: an Algerian case study

Authors: Besma Zeddam; Fayçal Belkaid; Mohammed Bennekrouf

Addresses: Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory of Tlemcen (MELT), University of Tlemcen, BP 230, Tlemcen, Algeria ' Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory of Tlemcen (MELT), University of Tlemcen, BP 230, Tlemcen, Algeria ' Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory of Tlemcen (MELT), University of Tlemcen, BP 230, Tlemcen, Algeria

Abstract: In a logistic process, the goods distribution is an important task. It is also a critical activity that needs to be optimised according to company policy. The petrol station replenishment problem (PSRP) is one of the transportation problems concerned with replenishing a set of fuel stations with the different petroleum products. This problem presents a particular case of the multi-compartment vehicle routing problem (MC-VPR). In this paper, a new bi-objective approach is proposed in order to treat the PSRP. A novel MILP model is proposed based on a real life case study (the Algerian company of fuel distribution NAFTAL). Two objectives are considered: gain maximisation and carbon emissions minimisation. The economic objective is optimised independently of the environmental one, and then they are joined by adapting a multi-objective method 'LP-metric'. Finally, computational results are presented in order to show the efficiency of our green approach for a sustainable transportation system.

Keywords: petrol station replenishment problem; PSRP; multi compartment; carbon emissions; bi-objective; LP-metric.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOR.2023.130858

International Journal of Operational Research, 2023 Vol.47 No.1, pp.51 - 80

Received: 25 Jan 2020
Accepted: 13 Aug 2020
Published online: 13 May 2023 *

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