A hybrid metaheuristic algorithm for the multi-depot covering tour vehicle routing problem

We propose a generalization of the multi-depot capacitated vehicle routing problem where the assumption of visiting each customer does not hold. In this problem, called the Multi-Depot Covering Tour Vehicle Routing Problem (MDCTVRP), the demand of each customer could be satisfied in two different ways: either by visiting the customer along the tour or by “covering” it. When a customer is visited, the corresponding demand is delivered at its...