A fuzzy multi-criteria approach based on Clarke and Wright savings algorithm for vehicle routing problem in humanitarian aid distribution

Natural disasters usually occur unexpectedly, causing loss of life and property. It is essential to quickly and effectively distribute aid materials to minimize the damage in the aftermath of a disaster. Aid organizations require decision-making mechanisms that provide hard data to make quick and accurate decisions during the distribution of aid materials. In this study, the delivery of aid materials to the victims of disasters is investigated as a vehicle routing problem. For this purpose, a new method is developed by integrating the interval type-2 fuzzy TOPSIS method with the Clarke and Wright savings algorithm. In this way, while determining the routes, different criteria specific to the problem could also be analyzed with the distance criterion. The proposed method is presented with a numerical example to show how it can be implemented in the humanitarian aid distribution problem. As a result of the numerical example, it is determined that the proposed method completed the delivery with 826 distance units in four rounds, and the classical Clarke and Wright savings algorithm completed the delivery at 820 distance units in four rounds. Although the proposed method provides a longer distance solution than the classical Clarke and Wright savings algorithm, it has the advantage of determining safer routes by taking into account the different risks that may arise during a disaster. Finally, well-known benchmark problems are solved using the proposed method.