Comparison of optimization techniques in freight transportation

In our country, approximately 90% of passenger and cargo transportation is carried out by road transport with lower infrastructure costs compared to other transportation systems. The transportation sector is strengthened by making serious investments in the air, iron, sea and pipe transportation infrastructures along with the investments in the existing road networks in our country in recent years. In addition to improving the infrastructure of transportation systems, shortening the transportation distances and strengthening many kinds of transportation by providing the necessary connections in different transportation systems, and reducing transportation costs have serious contributions to the national economies. In this thesis, the optimum distance value of road transportation is calculated between the Organized Industrial Zones (OIZ) located in 81 cities in our country in order to contribute to the reduction of transportation costs. In the study, Genetic Algorithm (GA), Linear Optimization (LO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) methods are used based on the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). The optimum distance obtained as a result of the analyzes made with LOis calculated as 9923 km. The optimum distance obtained as a result of the analyzes with GA is calculated as 10689 km. The optimum distance obtained as a result of the analyzes with PSO is calculated as 11313 km. When the values obtained as a result of LO, PSO and GA methods are compared, it is seen that Linear Optimization generally gives better results.