A combined spatial cluster analysis - traveling salesman problem approach in location-routing problem: A case study in Iran

We have attempted to model and to solve a version of the newspaper distribution problem. A key element in the analysis is the interplay between the distribution operation and the production operation. The newspaper production/distribution problem, NDP, is an example of a perishable-good production and distribution problem. In this article, we propose a methodology that by using cluster analysis and Traveling Salesman problem try to allocate facilities to demand points and route them in each cluster.

I. INTRODUCTION

Today morning newspaper publishing is a competitive market. Besides a declining circulation, the morning newspapers compete with each other and with other media such as TV, radio, the www and other on-line services. In order to be competitive in the media landscape of today, morning newspapers need to improve the production and the distribution of newspapers as well as other processes within the newspaper companies. Regarding distribution of newspaper different goals such as at least production cost, least service time and the most coverage could be considered.