Stochastic Vehicle Routing Problems

Uncertainties are present in most real world VRP's, but most problem formulations and solution methods ignore this. Stochastic Solution methods are also difficult to design and implement due to the high degree of structure generally present in these problems. It is also evident that "better" or "more robust" solutions can be devised when taking stochasticity into account. We will look at where stochasticity currently arizes in VRP's, and at some solution methods. Focus will be on solving rich, real world, problems.