The Transportation Planning for Cost Optimization in Cold-Chain Distribution: A Case Study
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Keywords:
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MILP, Cold Chain, Routing, Perishability, Transshipment, Optimization
Abstract
Cold chain logistics for perishable goods faces increasing challenges in balancing product quality and cost efficiency. This study proposes a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model that jointly optimizes transportation and inventory decisions in temperature-controlled supply chains by incorporating both transportation and perishability-related holding costs within a multi-node distribution network. A real-world case study based on a ten-node cold chain system in Thailand is used to validate the model. The results indicate that the proposed approach effectively determines routing structures, shipment quantities, and vehicle utilization while accounting for product deterioration. Compared with experience-based planning, the proposed model reduces total logistics cost by 8.02%, primarily through improved transportation efficiency. These findings demonstrate the importance of integrating routing decisions with perishability considerations and highlight the model’s potential as a practical decision-support tool for cold chain logistics operations.
References
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Wei, M., H. Guan, Y. Liu, B. Gao, and C. Zhang (2020). Production, Replenishment and Inventory Policies for Perishable Products in a Two-Echelon Distribution Network. Sustainability, 12(11); 4735
Xu, B., J. Sun, Z. Zhang, and R. Gu (2023). Research on Cold Chain Logistics Transportation Scheme under Complex Conditional Constraints. Sustainability, 15(10); 8431
Yang, F. and F. Tao (2023). A Bi-Objective Optimization VRP Model for Cold Chain Logistics: Enhancing Cost Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction. IEEE Access, 11; 127043–127056
Yuliza, E., B. Suprihatin, P. B. J. Bangun, F. M. Puspita, Indrawati, and S. Octarina (2023). Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows for Route Optimization of Garbage Transport Vehicles. Science and Technology Indonesia, 8(1); 66–70
Akkerman, R., P. Farahani, and M. Grunow (2010). Quality, Safety and Sustainability in Food Distribution: A Review of Quantitative Operations Management Approaches and Challenges. Omega, 38(1–2); 1–14
Ali, I., S. Nagalingam, and B. Gurd (2018). A Resilience Model for Cold Chain Logistics of Perishable Products. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 29(3); 821–841
Ali, S. S., H. Barman, R. Kaur, H. Tomaskova, and S. K. Roy (2021). Multi-Product Multi Echelon Measurements of Perishable Supply Chain: Fuzzy Non-Linear Programming Approach. Mathematics, 9(17); 2093
Archetti, C. and M. G. Speranza (2016). The Inventory Routing Problem: The Value of Integration. International Transactions in Operational Research, 23(3); 393–407
Aung, M. M. and Y. S. Chang (2014). Temperature Management for The Quality Assurance Of A Perishable Food Supply Chain. Food Control, 40; 198–207
Bremer, P. (2018). Towards a Reference Model for The Cold Chain. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 29(4); 1157–1179
Campbell, A. M. and M. W. Savelsbergh (2005). Decision Support for Consumer Direct Grocery Initiatives. Transportation Science, 39(3); 313–327
Dantzig, G. B. and J. H. Ramser (1959). The Truck Dispatching Problem. Management Science, 6(1); 80–91
Ding, Y., L. Zhang, Y.-H. Kuo, and L. Zhang (2025). Cold Chain Routing for Product Freshness and Low Carbon Emissions: A Target-Oriented Robust Optimization Approach. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 199; 104138
Ghasemkhani, A., R. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Y. Rahimi, S. Shahnejat-Bushehri, and H. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam (2022). Integrated Production-Inventory-Routing Problem for Multi-Perishable Products under Uncertainty by Meta-Heuristic Algorithms. International Journal of Production Research, 60(9); 2766–2786
Golestani, M., S. H. Moosavirad, Y. Asadi, and S. Biglari (2021). A Multi-Objective Green Hub Location Problem with Multi Item-Multi Temperature Joint Distribution for Perishable Products in Cold Supply Chain. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27; 1183–1194
Iyer, P. and D. Robb (2024). Cold Chain Optimisation Models: A Systematic Literature Review. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 187; 109753
James, S. J. and C. James (2010). The Food Cold-Chain and Climate Change. Food Research International, 43(7); 1944–1956
Kedigui, V. (2025). Research On Cold Chain Logistics Transport Strategies for Fresh Agricultural Products Based on FAHP. Open Journal of Business and Management, 13; 2377–2392
Kuaites, T. and S. Thungwha (2025). Enabling Smart Cold Chain Logistics Through Standardization and Digital Transformation: A Structural Model for Reducing Food Loss in Thailand’s Agri-Food Sector. Sustainability, 17(13); 1–23
Laguerre, O., H. M. Hoang, and D. Flick (2013). Experimental Investigation and Modelling in The Food Cold Chain: Thermal And Quality Evolution. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 29(2); 87–97
Laporte, G. (2009). Fifty Years of Vehicle Routing. Transportation Science, 43(4); 408–416
Leng, Y., Y. Yang, R. Lin, Q. Wang, W. Zhang, C. Wang, and C. Tang (2024). Formulation And Heuristic Method for Urban Cold-Chain Logistics Systems With Path Flexibility: The Case of China. Expert Systems with Applications, 243; 122781
Mercier, S., S. Villeneuve, M. Mondor, and I. Uysal (2017). Time-Temperature Management Along The Food Cold Chain: A Review of Recent Developments. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 57; 47–58
Nahmias, S. (1982). Perishable Inventory Theory: A Review. Operations Research, 30(4); 680–708
Nan, Z., X. Yang, L. Ruiz-Garcia, J. Qiu, Y. Feng, and J. Han (2025). Multi-Objective Optimization of Cold Chain Distribution Routes Considering Traffic Congestion. Agriculture Communications; 100104
Pan, L., X. Li, and M. Shan (2025). Designing a Sustainable Supply Chain Network for Perishable Products Integrating Internet of Things and Mixed Fleets. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 20(2); 137
Pérez-Lechuga, G., J. F. Martínez-Sánchez, F. Venegas-Martínez, and K. N. Madrid-Fernández (2024). A Routing Model for The Distribution of Perishable Food in A Green Cold Chain. Mathematics, 12(2); 332
Solomon, M. M. (1987). Algorithms For the Vehicle Routing And Scheduling Problems With Time Window Constraints. Operations Research, 35(2); 254–265
Tassou, S. A., J. S. Lewis, Y. Ge, A. Hadawey, and I. Chaer (2010). A Review of Emerging Technologies for Food Refrigeration Applications. Applied Thermal Engineering, 30(4); 263–276
Toth, P. and D. Vigo, editors (2002). The Vehicle Routing Problem. SIAM
Tsai, C.-Y. and C.-H. Lo (2024). An Integration of a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and The Taguchi Method for Optimizing Cold Chain Logistics for Perishable Foods. Applied Sciences, 15(2); 770
Wei, M., H. Guan, Y. Liu, B. Gao, and C. Zhang (2020). Production, Replenishment and Inventory Policies for Perishable Products in a Two-Echelon Distribution Network. Sustainability, 12(11); 4735
Xu, B., J. Sun, Z. Zhang, and R. Gu (2023). Research on Cold Chain Logistics Transportation Scheme under Complex Conditional Constraints. Sustainability, 15(10); 8431
Yang, F. and F. Tao (2023). A Bi-Objective Optimization VRP Model for Cold Chain Logistics: Enhancing Cost Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction. IEEE Access, 11; 127043–127056
Yuliza, E., B. Suprihatin, P. B. J. Bangun, F. M. Puspita, Indrawati, and S. Octarina (2023). Waste Collection Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows for Route Optimization of Garbage Transport Vehicles. Science and Technology Indonesia, 8(1); 66–70
Authors
Sutikasana, C., Pattane, S., Wongwilai, S. ., & Ieosanurak, W. (2026). The Transportation Planning for Cost Optimization in Cold-Chain Distribution: A Case Study. Science and Technology Indonesia, 11(3), 1079–1088. https://doi.org/10.26554/sti.2026.11.3.1079-1088
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.