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Publicações

Publicações por José Fernando Oliveira

2022

A diversity-based genetic algorithm for scenario generation

Autores
Oliveira, BB; Carravilla, MA; Oliveira, JF;

Publicação
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

Merging make-to-stock/make-to-order decisions into sales and operations planning: A multi-objective approach

Autores
Pereira, DF; Oliveira, JF; Carravilla, MA;

Publicação
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.

2022

A C plus plus application programming interface for co-evolutionary biased random-key genetic algorithms for solution and scenario generation

Autores
Oliveira, BB; Carravilla, MA; Oliveira, JF; Resende, MGC;

Publicação
OPTIMIZATION METHODS & SOFTWARE

Abstract
This paper presents a C++ application programming interface for a co-evolutionary algorithm for solution and scenario generation in stochastic problems. Based on a two-space biased random-key genetic algorithm, it involves two types of populations that are mutually impacted by the fitness calculations. In the solution population, high-quality solutions evolve, representing first-stage decisions evaluated by their performance in the face of the scenario population. The scenario population ultimately generates a diverse set of scenarios regarding their impact on the solutions. This application allows the straightforward implementation of this algorithm, where the user needs only to define the problem-dependent decoding procedure and may adjust the risk profile of the decision-maker. This paper presents the co-evolutionary algorithm and structures the interface. We also present some experiments that validate the impact of relevant features of the application.

2022

On-line three-dimensional packing problems: A review of off-line and on-line solution approaches

Autores
Ali, S; Ramos, AG; Carravilla, MA; Oliveira, JF;

Publicação
COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Abstract
Three-Dimensional Packing Problems (3D-PPs) can be applied to effectively reduce logistics costs in various areas, such as airline cargo management and warehouse management. In general, 3D-PP studies can be divided into two different streams: those tackling the off-line problem, where full knowledge about items is available beforehand; and those tackling the on-line (real-time) problem, where items arrive one by one and should be packed immediately without having full prior knowledge about them. During the past decades, off-line and online 3D-PPs have been studied in the literature with various constraints and solution approaches. However, and despite the numerous practical applications of on-line problems in real-world situations, most of the literature to date has focused on off-line problems and is quite sparse when it comes to on-line solution methods. In this regard, and despite the different nature of on-line and off-line problems, some approaches can be applied in both environments. Hence, we conducted an in-depth and updated literature review to identify and structure various constraints and solution methods employed by researchers in off-line and on-line 3D-PPs. Building on this, by bringing together the two separate streams of the literature, we identified several off-line approaches that can be adopted in on-line environments. Additionally, we addressed relevant research gaps and ways to bridge them in the future, which can help to develop this research field.

2022

First-mile logistics parcel pickup: Vehicle routing with packing constraints under disruption

Autores
Gimenez Palacios, I; Parreno, F; Alvarez Valdes, R; Paquay, C; Oliveira, BB; Carravilla, MA; Olivera, JF;

Publicação
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART E-LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION REVIEW

Abstract
First-mile logistics tackles the movement of products from retailers to a warehouse or distri-bution centre. This first step towards the end customer has been pushed by large e-commerce platforms forming extensive networks of partners and is critical for fast deliveries. First-mile pickup requires efficient methods different from those developed for last-mile delivery, among other reasons due to the complexity of cargo features and volume - increasing the relevance of advanced packing methods. More importantly, the problem is essentially dynamic and the pickup process, in which the vehicle is initially empty, is much more flexible to react to disruptions arising when the vehicles are en route. We model the static first-mile pickup problem as a vehicle routing problem for a hetero-geneous fleet, with time windows and three-dimensional packing constraints. Moreover, we propose an approach to tackle the dynamic problem, in which the routes can be modified to accommodate disruptions - new customers' demands and modified requests of known customers that are arriving while the initially established routes are being covered. We propose three reactive strategies for addressing the disruptions depending on the number of vehicles available, and study their results on a newly generated benchmark for dynamic problems. The results allow quantifying the impact of disruptions depending on the strategy used and can help the logistics companies to define their own strategy, considering the characteristics of their customers and products and the available fleet.

2022

The two-dimensional cutting stock problem with usable leftovers: mathematical modelling and heuristic approaches

Autores
do Nascimento, DN; Cherri, AC; Oliveira, JF;

Publicação
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

Abstract
Different variations of the classic cutting stock problem (CSP) have emerged and presented increasingly complex challenges for scientists and researchers. One of these variations, which is the central subject of this work, is the two-dimensional cutting stock problem with usable leftovers (2D-CSPUL). In these problems, leftovers can be generated to reduce waste. This technique has great practical importance for many companies, with a strong economic and environmental impact. In this paper, a non-linear mathematical model and its linearization are proposed to represent the 2D-CSPUL. Due to the complexity of the model, a heuristic procedure was also proposed. Computational tests were performed with instances from the literature and randomly generated instances. The results demonstrate that the proposed model and the heuristic procedure satisfactorily solve the problem, proving to be adequate and beneficial tools when applied to real situations.

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