The Dial-a-Ride Problem (DARP): Variants, modeling issues and algorithms

Abstract

Abstract.

The Dial-a-Ride Problem (DARP) consists of designing vehicle routes and schedules for n users who specify pick-up and drop-off requests between origins and destinations. The aim is to plan a set of m minimum cost vehicle routes capable of accommodating as many users as possible, under a set of constraints. The most common example arises in door-to-door transportation for elderly or disabled people. The purpose of this article is to review the scientific literature on the DARP. The main features of the problem are described and classified and some modeling issues are discussed. A summary of the most important algorithms is provided.