Fast delta evaluation for the Vehicle Routing Problem with Multiple Time Windows

Abstract: In many applications of vehicle routing, a set of time windows are feasible for each visit, giving rise to the Vehicle Routing Problem with Multiple Time Windows (VRPMTW). We argue that such disjunctions are problematic for many solution methods, and exemplify this using a state of the art Adaptive Large Neighbourhood Search heuristic. VRPMTW comes in two variants depending on whether the time used en route must be minimised. A more compact and corrected mathematical formulation for both variants of the problem is presented, and new best solutions for all but six benchmark instances of VRPMTW without time minimisation is found. A new solution representation for VRPMTW with time minimisation is presented, its importance is demonstrated and it is used to find new best solutions for all but one benchmark instance of VRPMTW with time minimisation.