The paper introduces a novel vehicle routing problem that incorporates dynamic compartments and reconfigurable vehicles. By using modular containers (“frigoboxes”), fresh and frozen products can be transported jointly and more efficiently within the same vehicle.
In addition to a new mathematical formulation, the authors develop an advanced solution approach that jointly optimizes routing, vehicle selection, and capacity configuration. The results highlight significant efficiency improvements through flexible vehicle concepts and provide valuable insights for real-world applications, particularly in grocery logistics.
The article is availabe here.