Research Article
Vehicle Routing Optimization for Medical Product Distribution in Regional Capitals of Burkina Faso: A Linear Programming Approach with Gurobi
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-032-15154-4_20, author={Saan-Nonnan Olivier Dabire and Boureima Zerbo and D\^{e}sir\^{e} Guel}, title={Vehicle Routing Optimization for Medical Product Distribution in Regional Capitals of Burkina Faso: A Linear Programming Approach with Gurobi}, proceedings={Innovations and Interdisciplinary Solutions for Underserved Areas. 8th International Conference, InterSol 2025, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, July 3--4, 2025, Proceedings}, proceedings_a={INTERSOL}, year={2026}, month={11}, keywords={MILP VRP Healthcare logistics Gurobi Security Constraint}, doi={10.1007/978-3-032-15154-4_20} }- Saan-Nonnan Olivier Dabire
Boureima Zerbo
Désiré Guel
Year: 2026
Vehicle Routing Optimization for Medical Product Distribution in Regional Capitals of Burkina Faso: A Linear Programming Approach with Gurobi
INTERSOL
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-15154-4_20
Abstract
This study presents a MILP based approach to the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) for optimizing medical product distribution in Burkina Faso. The model accounts for critical real-world constraints including restricted areas and road inaccessibility while ensuring equitable service to priority healthcare centers. Implemented using the Gurobi solver, it achieved exact solutions rapidly (662 variables post-preprocessing, 62 constraints) with a near-zero optimality gap. While results demonstrate efficient route allocation, the reliance on synthetically generated data and the model’s static nature limit operational realism. Future improvements will include integration of dynamic variables, field-collected data, and scalable heuristics such as Ant Colony Optimization to enhance adaptability and practical deployment.