Enhancing logistics through a vehicle routing problem with deliveries, pickups, and backhauls

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Today, logistics activities are driven by the pressing need to simultaneously increase efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. In our research, we tackle this challenge by adapting a general vehicle routing problem with deliveries and pickups to accommodate different types of customers. Customers requiring both delivery and pickup services are mandatory, while those needing only a pickup service (backhaul customers) are optional and are only visited if profitable.