Optimizing delivery routes for newspapers and magazines using vehicle routing problem

Abstract

The current market of media in the form of newspapers and magazines is facing one of the greatest challenges of their existence. New media’s such as television and the internet, have replaced the need for newspapers and magazines, lowering circulations and increasing unit costs. This research aims to investigate the role of logistics in newspaper and magazine delivery routes, to find how they can be optimized. The results should assist media companies to cut the cost of logistics and to have a more effective delivery system. By using the Vehicle Routing Method, this study aims to develop a universal algorithm to apply to the routes currently used by Media 24 in Gauteng. Once the algorithm is created, a feasibility study will be performed to indicate how to program the problem. It will improve the efficiency of the delivery process. This may make a significant difference in not only the media company’s logistics costs, but also in their unit costs, thus earning a greater profit for each copy sold.