Multiperiodic design and optimization of distribution networks on the basis of geodata

  • contact:

    Hans-Peter Ziegler

  • funding:

    Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Objective target

The consistent competition pressure in the transportation sector demands efficiently structured distribution networks. Against this background the long-run design of a distribution network gains importance and complexity.
Essential aspects in this context are the assignment of new locations and the specification of transportation ways during for the distribution of goods in a given time period.
Traditional forecasting instruments require a classical data basis, which can be derived from historic shipment and sales data of a company. The geographical and demographical character of many of these data is rarely regarded in technical literature.

In this project, which is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the Chair in Operations Research will jointly with the Chair in trafficsystems and -logistics of the University of Dortmund  address the following research goals:

  1. Extension of the planing data basis with geodata and demographic data in order to receive a broader data basis which can also be used if company data is insufficient.
  2. Creation of a forecast model for the data over the entire planning horizon.
  3. Establishment of a dynamic model, which describes the development of the distribution system from the present situation to the target situation.
  4. Development of exact and heuristic optimization methods for planning of optimal paths, over which the desired goal can be achieved beginning in the current state.

The Chair in Operations Research will consider the following topics precisely:

  • Development and adaption of capable forecasting models with geodata
  • Development of exact and heuristic optimization methods