Service quality planning for freight distribution with time windows in large networks

This paper introduces a methodology whose aim is to evaluate how the quality of a freight distribution service with time windows, which operates on a given road network to satisfy a number of requests, affects the total cost of the distribution service . The result of a service quality setting, expressed as the width of the time windows, has been assessed using a number of indicators, which are a measure of the service operating costs and based on the request compatibility time interval. Each indicator's performance has been evaluated in an experimental context by using as comparison terms the recent published results of a heuristic algorithm suitable also for the CVRPTW problem. The results enable the selection of the suitable indicators to support the service quality planning decisions.