Knowledge Representation And Intelligent Modeling Method For Vehicle Routing Problems

Vehicle Routing Problem is an issue with importantly theoretical and practical significance in the field of logistics. To meet the demands of real-time vehicle inspection, navigation, and real-time optimization of routing and scheduling, the mathematical model of the problems need to be contructed online and real-timely. Dynamic modeling is a difficult problem, which the research in this field is confronted with.Focusing on the problem of dynamic modeling, this paper aims at improving the real-time and intelligent processing ability for vehicle routing problems. According to an online and dynamic processing thought of "knowledge representation→mathematical model generation by computers→model solution by computers and optimal routing scheme acquisition", this paper applies theories and approaches in Knowledge Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, and mainly study the following several problems: the knowledge representation, Knowledge-based modeling method, and the solution system_for vehicle routing problems. The detailed contents studied in the paper are as follows:(1) The research on the knowledge representation and its support system. Based on the characteristic of vehicle routing problem's knowledge, a two-stage knowledge representation process is presented. A formulation method and a problem knowledge description method are studied, and a knowledge representation support system is designed and developed, which provides conditions for the problem's intelligent modeling and solution.(2) The research on the modeling method for vehicle routing problems. The characteristics of the mathematical model's structure and solution are analyzed, and a model knowledge representation method is proposed. An intelligent modeling method is studied, supported by the rule of domain expert modeling thought. A modeling system is designed and developed, which enables a computer to accomplish the work of modeling a complicated vehicle routing problem.(3) The research on the solution system for vehicle routing problems. A solution system is designed and developed, so as to provide the conditions for vehicle routing problem's online, real-time and intelligent processing.(4) Case study. Focusing on the vehicle routing problem of Beijing North Grocery Store, the knowledge representation support system, modeling system, and solution system developed in this paper, are employed to solve the problem by accomplishing the process from problem information model generation, mathematical model generation, to model solution, which proves the approaches presented in this paper.The research in this paper has promoted the interaction and inosculation between Artificial Intelligence and Optimization. It is the beneficial exploration for solving the vehicle routing problems based on knowledge. And equipped with realtime data collection technique, monitoring technique and scheduling technique for logistic vehicles, the research results in this paper can provide decision support for realtime logistic vehicle navigation and scheduling.