NAME: AKONTI SHANNON OYIZA
TITLE: OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
TOPIC: TRANSPORTATION MODEL
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: ADESINA MICHEAL
INTRODUCTION
The transportation model is a fundamental concept in
the field of operations research and logistics that plays
a crucial role in optimizing the distribution of goods and
services from suppliers to consumers. This
mathematical model is designed to help businesses and
organizations streamline their transportation processes,
reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. By
utilizing various algorithms and optimization
techniques, the transportation model enables decision-
makers to determine the most cost-effective routes,
modes of transportation, and shipment quantities to
meet customer demand while minimizing logistical
expenses.
At its core, the transportation model involves creating a
network representation of the supply chain, including
suppliers, warehouses, distribution centers, and end
customers. Each node in the network represents a
location where goods are either produced or consumed,
while the edges between nodes represent possible
transportation routes. By assigning costs to each edge
based on factors such as distance, time, capacity
constraints, and transportation mode characteristics,
the transportation model aims to find an optimal
solution that satisfies demand requirements at
minimum cost.
This comprehensive analysis will delve into the
intricacies of the transportation model, exploring its key
components, mathematical formulations, solution
methodologies, real-world applications, and impact on
supply chain management. Through an examination of
authoritative sources from academic journals,
encyclopedias, nonfiction books, and dictionaries, we
will gain a deep understanding of how the
transportation model revolutionizes logistics operations
and drives strategic decision-making in today’s
complex business environment.
WHAT IS A TRANSPORTATION MODEL?
The transportation model is a mathematical
optimization technique used in operations research to
determine the most cost-effective way to transport
goods from multiple sources to multiple destinations. It
is particularly useful in logistics and supply chain
management, where companies need to minimize
transportation costs while meeting customer demand
and delivery requirements.
The transportation model involves creating a matrix
that represents the costs of shipping goods from each
source to each destination. The objective is to find the
optimal shipping plan that minimizes total
transportation costs while satisfying constraints such as
supply and demand requirements, capacity limitations,
and route restrictions.
The model typically considers factors such as
transportation costs per unit, capacities of sources and
destinations, and distances between locations. It aims
to allocate shipments in a way that minimizes total
transportation costs while ensuring that all demands
are met.
Overall, the transportation model provides companies
with a systematic approach to optimizing their
transportation networks, reducing costs, improving
efficiency, and enhancing overall supply chain
performance.
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION MODELS:
Shortest Path Model: The shortest path model is one
of the simplest transportation models that aims to find
the shortest route between two points. This model is
commonly used in navigation systems and logistics to
determine the most efficient route for transportation.
Vehicle Routing Model: The vehicle routing model
focuses on optimizing the routes taken by a fleet of
vehicles to deliver goods or services to multiple
locations. This model helps in minimizing fuel
consumption, reducing travel time, and improving
overall operational efficiency.
Transportation Network Model: The transportation
network model represents a network of interconnected
nodes and links that depict the flow of goods or people
between different locations. This model is used to
analyze traffic patterns, congestion levels, and capacity
constraints in transportation systems.
Assignment Model: The assignment model is used to
allocate resources such as vehicles or workers to tasks
in a way that minimizes total costs or maximizes
efficiency. This model is commonly applied in workforce
scheduling, project management, and distribution
planning.
Traffic Flow Model: Traffic flow models are used to
simulate and predict the movement of vehicles on
roads or highways based on factors such as traffic
volume, speed limits, and road conditions. These
models help in analyzing traffic congestion, optimizing
signal timings, and designing efficient road networks.
HOW TO SOLVE A QUESTION UNDER
TRANSPORTATION MODEL
Solving the transportation model involves using linear
programming techniques to find the optimal solution.
This may involve methods such as the North-West
Corner Rule, Least Cost Method, Vogel’s Approximation
Method, or the Modified Distribution Method.
The shortest path problem is a fundamental issue in
transportation models that aims to find the most
efficient route between two points. This problem is
crucial in various fields, such as logistics, urban
planning, and traffic management. The goal is to
determine the path with the minimum cost or distance
traveled.
One common method used to solve the shortest path
problem is Dijkstra’s algorithm. Developed by Edsger
W. Dijkstra in 1956, this algorithm efficiently finds the
shortest path between nodes in a graph. It starts at the
initial node and explores all possible paths, updating
the shortest distances along the way until it reaches
the destination node. Dijkstra’s algorithm guarantees
finding the shortest path in a graph with non-negative
edge weights.
Another widely used approach is the Bellman-Ford
algorithm, which can handle graphs with negative edge
weights as well. This algorithm iterates through all
edges multiple times, relaxing them to improve the
estimates of the shortest paths until convergence is
reached.
Moreover, Floyd-Warshall algorithm is another
technique for solving the all-pairs shortest path
problem. It computes the shortest paths between all
pairs of nodes in a graph by considering all possible
intermediate nodes iteratively.
In addition to these algorithms, other methods like A*
search algorithm and Johnson’s algorithm are also
employed based on specific requirements and
constraints of transportation models.
Overall, solving the shortest path problem in
transportation models involves applying various
algorithms that consider factors such as distance, time,
cost, and constraints to determine the most efficient
route between two points.
QUESTION UNDER TRANSPORTATION MODEL:
Consider the transportation problem between five
sources and for destinations as given in the cost table
below. The supply and demand at each of the source
and destination are also provided:
DESTINATIONS SUPPL
Y
P Q R S
S 1 13 8 12 9 20
O 2 10 7 5 20 10
U 3 3 19 5 12 50
R 4 4 9 17 15 30
C
5 14 0 1 7 40
E
DEMAN 60 10 20 60
D
SOLUTION
Let CN and CL be the cost of the initial feasible solution
obtained from the North-West corner method and the
Least-Cost method, respectively. Then CN-CL=?
NORTH-WEST CORNER METHOD
CN= 20 x 13 + 10 x 10 + 30 x 3 + 10 x 19 + 10 x 5 +
10 x 7 + 20 x 15 + 40 x 7=1340
LEAST-COST METHOD
CL= 50 x 3 + 10 x 4 + 10 x 0 +20 x 1 + 20 x 9 + 10 x
20 + 20 x 15 + 10 x 7 + 960
HENCE CN-CL =1340-960=380
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, transportation models play a crucial role
in optimizing the movement of goods and people in
various industries and sectors. Through the use of
mathematical algorithms and analytical tools,
transportation models help decision-makers plan
routes, allocate resources efficiently, minimize costs,
and reduce environmental impacts. The different types
of transportation models, such as network optimization
models, traffic flow models, and vehicle routing models,
offer valuable insights into improving transportation
systems’ performance and sustainability.
Transportation models are essential for urban planners,
logistics managers, policymakers, and researchers to
address complex transportation challenges effectively.
By simulating different scenarios and analyzing various
factors influencing transportation systems’ operations,
these models enable stakeholders to make informed
decisions that enhance efficiency, safety, and overall
effectiveness. As technology continues to advance,
transportation models will evolve to incorporate real-
time data, predictive analytics, and artificial
intelligence to further optimize transportation networks
worldwide.
Overall, the study of transportation models is a
dynamic field that continues to grow in importance as
societies strive to develop more sustainable and
resilient transportation systems. By leveraging the
power of mathematical modeling and data analysis,
stakeholders can navigate the complexities of modern
transportation networks with greater precision and
foresight.
