Using Genetic Algorithm For Winter Maintenance Operations: Multi Depot K-Chinese Postman Problem

Abstract

In this study, the assignment and routing problem of one of Istanbul’s winter maintenance activities, salt pouring, was scrutinized. The starting point of the study considers the high cost of winter maintenance work, a shrinking assigned budget, high numbers of vehicles and streets to service that the increase in difficulty to solve the problem due to their high numbers. In this respect, the problem was modeled as multi depot k-Chinese postman problem, a type of arc routing problem. This mathematical model was solved by genetic algorithm. For comparison, the current solution, Clarke and Wright Algorithm and Sweep Algorithm were used.