2022
Authors
Romanciuc, V; Lopes, C; Teymourifar, A; Rodrigues, AM; Ferreira, JS; Oliveira, C; Ozturk, EG;
Publication
INNOVATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Abstract
The process of sectorization aims at dividing a dataset into smaller sectors according to certain criteria, such as equilibrium and compactness. Sectorization problems appear in several different contexts, such as political districting, sales territory design, healthcare districting problems and waste collection, to name a few. Solution methods vary from application to application, either being exact, heuristics or a combination of both. In this paper, we propose two quadratic integer programming models to obtain a sectorization: one with compactness as the main criterion and equilibrium constraints, and the other considering equilibrium as the objective and compactness bounded in the constraints. These two models are also compared to ascertain the relationship between the criteria.
2022
Authors
Teymourifar, A; Rodrigues, AM; Ferreira, JS; Lopes, C;
Publication
Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Abstract
In sectorization problems, a large district is split into small ones, usually meeting certain criteria. In this study, at first, two single-objective integer programming models for sectorization are presented. Models contain sector centers and customers, which are known beforehand. Sectors are established by assigning a subset of customers to each center, regarding objective functions like equilibrium and compactness. Pulp and Pyomo libraries available in Python are utilised to solve related benchmarks. The problems are then solved using a genetic algorithm available in Pymoo, which is a library in Python that contains evolutionary algorithms. Furthermore, the multi-objective versions of the models are solved with NSGA-II and RNSGA-II from Pymoo. A comparison is made among solution approaches. Between solvers, Gurobi performs better, while in the case of setting proper parameters and operators the evolutionary algorithm in Pymoo is better in terms of solution time, particularly for larger benchmarks. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
2022
Authors
Öztürk, E; Rocha, P; Sousa, F; Lima, M; Rodrigues, AM; Ferreira, JS; Nunes, AC; Lopes, C; Oliveira, C;
Publication
Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Sectorization problems have significant challenges arising from the many objectives that must be optimised simultaneously. Several methods exist to deal with these many-objective optimisation problems, but each has its limitations. This paper analyses an application of Preference Inspired Co-Evolutionary Algorithms, with goal vectors (PICEA-g) to sectorization problems. The method is tested on instances of different size difficulty levels and various configurations for mutation rate and population number. The main purpose is to find the best configuration for PICEA-g to solve sectorization problems. Performance metrics are used to evaluate these configurations regarding the solutions’ spread, convergence, and diversity in the solution space. Several test trials showed that big and medium-sized instances perform better with low mutation rates and large population sizes. The opposite is valid for the small size instances. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
2022
Authors
Lopes, Isabel Cristina; Lima, Maria Margarida; Ozturk, E. Goksu; Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Nunes, Ana Catarina; Oliveira, Cristina; Soeiro Ferreira, José; Rocha, Pedro;
Publication
IFCS 2022 Book of Abstracts 17th Conference of the International Federation of Classification Societies Classification and Data Science in the Digital Age
Abstract
Sectorization is the process of grouping a set of previously defined basic units (points or small areas) into a fixed number of sectors. Sectorization is also known
in the literature as districting or territory design, and is usually performed to
optimize one or more criteria regarding the geographic characteristics of the territory
and the planning purposes of sectors. The most common criteria are equilibrium,
compactness and contiguity, which can be measured in many ways.
Sectorization is similar to clustering but with a different motivation. Both aggregate
smaller units into groups. But, while clustering strives for inner similarity of
data, sectorization aims at outer homogeneity [1]. In clustering, groups should be
very different from each other, and similar points are classified in the same cluster.
In sectorization, groups should be very similar to each other, and therefore very
different points can be grouped in the same sector.
We classify sectorization problems into four types: basic sectorization, sectorization
with service centers, resectorization, and dynamic sectorization. A Decision
Support System for Sectorization, D3S, is being developed to deal with these four
types of problems. Multi-objective genetic algorithms were implemented in D3S
using Python, and a user-friendly web interface was developed using Django. Several
applications can be solved with D3S, such as political districting, sales territory
design, delivery service zones, and assignment of fire stations and health services to
the population.
2022
Authors
Oliveira, BB; Carravilla, MA; Oliveira, JF;
Publication
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
Tackling uncertainty is becoming increasingly relevant for decision-support across fields due to its critical impact on real-world problems. Uncertainty is often modelled using scenarios, which are combinations of possible outcomes of the uncertain parameters in a problem. Alongside expected value methods, decisions under uncertainty may also be tackled using methods that do not rely on probability distributions and model different decision-maker risk profiles. Scenarios are at the core of these approaches. Therefore, we propose a scenario generation methodology that seizes the structure and concepts of genetic algorithms. This methodology aims to obtain a diverse set of scenarios, evolving a scenario population with a diversity goal. Diversity is here expressed as the difference in the impact that scenarios have on the value of potential solutions to the problem. Moreover, this method does not require a priori knowledge of probability distributions or statistical moments of uncertain parameters, as it is based on their range. We adapt the available code for Biased-Random Key Genetic Algorithms to apply the methodology to a packing problem under demand uncertainty as a proof of concept, also extending its use to a multiobjective setting. We make available these code adaptations to allow the straightforward application of this scenario generation method to other problems. With this, the decision-maker obtains scenarios with a distinct impact on potential solutions, enabling the use of different criteria based on their profile and preferences.
2022
Authors
Pereira, DF; Oliveira, JF; Carravilla, MA;
Publication
OMEGA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
Abstract
With the advent of mass customization and product proliferation, the appearance of hybrid Make-toStock(MTS)/Make-to-Order(MTO) policies arise as a strategy to cope with high product variety maintaining satisfactory lead times. In companies operating under this reality, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) practices must be adapted accordingly during the coordinated planning of procurement, production, logistics, and sales activities. This paper proposes a novel S&OP decision-making framework for a flow shop/batch company that produces standard products under an MTS strategy and customized products under an MTO strategy. First, a multi-objective mixed-integer programming model is formulated to characterize the problem. Then, a matrix containing the different strategies a firm in this context may adopt is proposed. This rationale provides a business-oriented approach towards the analysis of different plans and helps to frame the different Pareto-optimal solutions given the priority on MTS or MTO segments and the management positioning regarding cost minimization or service level orientation. The research is based on a real case faced by an electric cable manufacturer. The computational experiments demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology. Our approach brings a practical, supply chain-oriented, and mid-term perspective on the study of operations planning policies in MTS/MTO contexts.
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