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Abstract
The vehicle routing problem (VRP) was adapted to improve its practical applicability by adopting constraints such as loading capacity, time, and pickup and delivery sequences with the objective of minimizing travel distance. Environmental issues such as global warming and abnormal climate situations have become increasingly significant for logistics firms. The objective of minimizing greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions of vehicles has recently resulted in the pollution routing problem (PRP) becoming an important VRP specialization area. PRP not only considers the traveling distance, but also several other environmental factors such as velocity, payload, the road gradient, and driving habits.
This study performed computational comparisons between VRP and PRP using case studies derived from VRP libraries and a real situation, namely the reverse logistics of disposed food waste in Seoul, to analyze the extent to which the introduction of PRP can reduce greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions.
Key Words: PRP, VRP, Greenhouse gas (CO02), Reverse logistics, Disposed food waste
Introduction
All The emission of carbon dioxide gas (C02), which is one of the major causes of the greenhouse effect that is responsible for accelerating global warming, continues to increase. This has led to the development and implementation of many policies and practical strategies worldwide in an attempt to prevent the deterioration of the environment. For example, Nordic countries such as Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Denmark, have been enforcing carbon tax laws to reduce C02 emissions, which make up more than 60% of greenhouse gas. Under these laws, each government sets a C02 quota for each product, and then either grants a subsidy to those who successfully reduce C02 emissions or levies a carbon tax on those who fail to do so [1].
Following the international trend set by environmental regulations, the Korean government is also preparing to implement a carbon emissions trading program, a so-called "cap-andtrade," for all energy intensive businesses on January 1, 2015. Under the cap-and-trade program, companies will be allocated a cap on how much C02 each one of them would be allowed to emit, following which a company would have to pay for extra rights if it fails to meet the cap. in particular, it was established that 94.4% of C02 that was discharged by the domestic transportation industry, was discharged on...