OPTIMIZING TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLE OBJECTIVES

Abstract

Virtually all models developed for transportation problems have focused upon the optimization of a single objective criterion, namely the minimization of total transportation costs. They have generally neglected or often ignored the multiple conflicting objectives involved in the problem, the priority structure of these objectives, various environmental constraints, unique organizational values of the firm, and bureaucratic decision structures. However, in reality these are important factors which greatly influence the decision process of transportation problems. In this study the GP approach is utilized because it allows the optimization of mutiple conflicting goals while permitting an explicit consideration of the existing decision evironment.