A Two-Level Variable Neighborhood Descent for a Split Delivery Clustered Vehicle Routing Problem with Soft Cluster Conflicts and Customer-Related Costs
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I am happy with the current version of the manuscript. Only minor spell check is needed
- The main question addressed by the research is "what is the minimized the sum of transportation costs and penalty costs"
- The topic is original and relevant in the transportation engineering field. The paper can fulfil the specific gap in the field.
- The paper used the new and more realistic Clustered VRP called SDCVRPSC.
- What further controls should be considered?
Author Response
The authors thank the reviewer for the time, detailed comments, and valuable suggestions. We have made corresponding modifications to the manuscript. Please find the point-by-point responses below.
Summary: I am happy with the current version of the manuscript. Only minor spell check is needed.
- The main question addressed by the research is "what is the minimized the sum of transportation costs and penalty costs"
- The topic is original and relevant in the transportation engineering field. The paper can fulfil the specific gap in the field.
- The paper used the new and more realistic Clustered VRP called SDCVRPSC.
Response: We are pleased to hear that you are satisfied with the current version of the manuscript. Thank you for your thorough review and high evaluation of our work. As suggested, the entire text was carefully checked for spelling, grammar, and structure.
Point 1: What further controls should be considered?
Response 1: Thank you for your interest and recognition of our work. Based on your feedback, we have further improved the limitations and future research recommendations. For more details, please refer to the second paragraph of Section 6 of the revised version.
Thank you again for your efforts in reviewing our manuscript.
Reviewer 2 Report
Title: The title of the paper clearly defines the subject of the paper.
Abstract: The abstract clearly indicates the goal of the research, the potential problem, the method and the results of the research applied in the paper.
Introduction: The authors pointed out the limitations when applying clustered VRPs in realistic business scenarios encountered in China. Therefore, the authors clearly indicate the problem, the goal of the research, the applied methods and the key results.
Problem setting and literature review: The authors clearly indicated the limitations and shortcomings of the grouped VRPs, as well as the advantages and characteristics of the analyzed SDCVRPSC model. The authors provided a comprehensive review of the existing literature in this area, pointing out the difference between the presented and analyzed VRP models.
Problem Statement and Model Formulation: The authors defined the problem in a comprehensive and precise way and presented the formulation of the model with graphical and tabular presentation along with the given explanation.
Solution methodology: Through the presented research methodology, the authors have precisely and tabularly described all the steps and each phase of the applied heuristic algorithm for solving SDCVRPSC and thus provided a qualitative overview of the structure of the research itself.
Results and Discussion: Based on the presented results, the authors pointed out the importance and potential of the proposed TLVND model, through a detailed description, tabular and graphical interpretation. However, the part of the chapter that is related to the description of the Real case study corresponds to the methodology of the work, so it is proposed to be included in the Solution methodology chapter.
Conclusions: In the conclusion of the paper, the authors gave a brief overview of the objective of the subject research. Also, the authors highlighted the key results obtained in the research, indicating the potential of the proposed model. The conclusion is comprehensive and contains all the necessary elements presented in the paper.
Author Response
The authors thank the reviewer for the time, detailed comments, and valuable suggestions. We have made corresponding modifications to the manuscript. Please find the point-by-point responses below.
Point 1: Title: The title of the paper clearly defines the subject of the paper.
Response 1: Thank you for your high evaluation.
Point 2: Abstract: The abstract clearly indicates the goal of the research, the potential problem, the method, and the results of the research applied in the paper.
Response 2: Thank you for your high evaluation.
Point 3: Introduction: The authors pointed out the limitations when applying clustered VRPs in realistic business scenarios encountered in China. Therefore, the authors clearly indicate the problem, the goal of the research, the applied methods, and the key results.
Response 3: Thank you for your thorough review and high evaluation.
Point 4: Problem Setting and Literature Review: The authors clearly indicated the limitations and shortcomings of the grouped VRPs, as well as the advantages and characteristics of the analyzed SDCVRPSC model. The authors provided a comprehensive review of the existing literature in this area, pointing out the difference between the presented and analyzed VRP models.
Response 4: Thank you for your careful review and high evaluation.
Point 5: Problem Statement and Model Formulation: The authors defined the problem in a comprehensive and precise way and presented the formulation of the model with graphical and tabular presentation along with the given explanation.
Response 5: Thank you for your careful review and positive evaluation.
Point 6: Solution Methodology: Through the presented research methodology, the authors have precisely and tabularly described all the steps and each phase of the applied heuristic algorithm for solving SDCVRPSC and thus provided a qualitative overview of the structure of the research itself.
Response 6: Thank you for your thorough review and high evaluation.
Point 7: Results and Discussion: Based on the presented results, the authors pointed out the importance and potential of the proposed TLVND model, through a detailed description, tabular and graphical interpretation. However, the part of the chapter that is related to the description of the Real case study corresponds to the methodology of the work, so it is proposed to be included in the Solution methodology chapter.
Response 7: Thank you for your positive evaluation and kinder suggestion. As you summarized, the Solution Methodology chapter provides a detailed description of the applied algorithms and the Results and Discussion chapter presents the performance of the algorithms on benchmark instances and real cases. The experience on benchmark instances and real cases demonstrates the theoretical significance and practical value of the TLVND algorithm. Therefore, we consider it appropriate to arrange the Real case study section in the Results and Discussion chapter.
Point 8: Conclusions: In the conclusion of the paper, the authors gave a brief overview of the objective of the subject research. Also, the authors highlighted the key results obtained in the research, indicating the potential of the proposed model. The conclusion is comprehensive and contains all the necessary elements presented in the paper.
Response 8: Thank you for your thorough review and high evaluation.
Thank you again for your efforts in reviewing our manuscript.
Reviewer 3 Report
This manuscript introduces the split distribution cluster vehicle routing problem ( SDCVRPSC ) with soft cluster conflicts and customer-related costs in China 's auto parts logistics, and introduces an integer linear programming model and a two-level variable neighborhood descent algorithm ( TLVND ), and verifies the results on test examples. It has certain research significance, but there are the following questions worth considering.
1. We believe that the manuscript title should clearly reflect the specific content and characteristics of the article, clearly show the uniqueness of the research work, and strive to be simple and effective. It is suggested that the author summarizes the theme content that the article wants to express and clearly lists it, so that readers can better understand the conception of the paper.
2. The introduction part should add the necessary transition, and it is suggested to sort out the language logic of the introduction 3-5 paragraphs. In addition, the last paragraph of the introduction is worthy of recognition for the general description of each chapter of the article, but we expect to see the author 's main content and scientific significance and application prospects in this study, which should be consistent.
3. ' 3.3.Numerical example ' in Figure 1 ( b ) how the route within the cluster is obtained, and whether the extension process from ( a ) to ( b ) has a scientific basis, it is recommended to clarify the scientific basis for such arrangement.
4. What is the scientific significance of the two-stage heuristic algorithm proposed in '4.2. Construction phase'. This may affect the accuracy and scientificity of the algorithm. If it is to solve the two continuous sub-problems mentioned in the article, it should explain what the basis for such a choice is.
5. The title ' 4.5.1.First decreasing with demand and cost ' in Section 4.5.1 cannot cover all the contents of this part.
6. SDCVRPSC does not have an upper limit on the number of available vehicles, so this paper discards the data of available vehicles. Whether this treatment has practical application value, research conducted out of practice often cannot be scientifically verified.
7. Check all the details in the manuscript, including the use of reasonable expression, comprehensive parameter description and so on.
All in all, the author must sort out the logic of the article according to the writing norms of scientific papers, check all the details of the article, and modify the unclear description of the manuscript content. If the author considers continuing to publish the paper in this journal, it should be checked and submitted again.
Author Response
The authors thank the reviewer for the time, detailed comments, and valuable suggestions. We have made corresponding modifications to the manuscript. Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
This study introduces the Split Delivery Clustered Vehicle Routing Problem with Soft cluster conflicts and Customer-related Costs (SDCVRPSC) arising in automotive parts milk-run logistics with supplier cluster distribution in China. This topic is interesting and can be a nice addition to the literature but I have some concerns that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of the manuscript.
--(3) Demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms two adapted heuristics and significantly reduces operational costs compared with the case company’s expert experience. In the contribution, you can claim your hypothesis that this model will outperform. this can be done in the results and conclusion. Here you can say" This model is expected/ will provide better results to significantly reduce---etc...Please carefully revise it.
--- line 45 and 46 missing reference maintenance and environmental cost --DOI: 10.1093/tse/tdac043 and DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911868
---Clarify the gap in the last paragraph of the literature
-- there is a missing comparison with previous literature.
---in method references are missing
--- conclusion is well written but need to add limitation and future recommendation.
--Some english tuning is needed to improve the overall clarity and readability of the manuscript.
Thanks
Author Response
The authors thank the reviewer for the time, detailed comments, and valuable suggestions. We have made corresponding modifications to the manuscript. Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Thank the authors for the corresponding modifications to the manuscript. I think the point-by-point responses are enough to imrove this manuscript.
Reviewer 4 Report
The authors have incorporated and addressed all my concerns and comments. Thanks
