VRP with Satellite Facilities (VRPSF)

An aspect of the Vehicle Routing Problem that has received comparatively little attention is the use of satellite facilities to replenish vehicles during a route. When possible, satellite replenishment allows drivers to continue making deliveries until the end of their shift without necessarily returning to the central depot.

This situation arises primarily in the distribution of fuels and certain retail items, where intermediate storage sites can be used to refill a vehicle mid-route, effectively extending its operating range. Deciding when and at which satellite facility to replenish becomes part of the optimization problem, on top of the usual routing decisions.

For more information, refer to [BHDJ98].

See also: Multi-Depot VRP · VRP formulation · Bibliography