Production scheduling and truck dispatching of ready mixed concrete

In this research, we develop an integrated model that combines ready mixed concrete (RMC) production scheduling and truck dispatching in the same framework. The model is formulated as a mixed integer network flow problem with side constraints, which is characterized as NP-hard. To solve realistic problems, we develop a solution method, which incorporates a mathematical programming solver. To evaluate the model and the solution method, numerical tests using real operating data from an RMC firm in Taiwan are performed. The test results show that the model and the solution algorithm would be useful for actual operations.