The general pickup and delivery problem with backtracking restrictions

This paper introduces a model for the general pickup and delivery problem (GPDP) that provides a novel approach to limit the amount of backtracking allowed in the solution. This problem is motivated by the increase in peer-to-peer vehicle transactions via online marketplaces such as eBay and an associated increase in the direct consumer procurement of shipping services for transporting recently purchased vehicles. We approach this problem in the context of a profit seeking objective while considering the cognitive processes and behavioural preferences of the driver as important to the ultimate solution of the routing problem. We offer a method for producing a set of good solutions that are differentiated based on backtracking characteristics of the directional flow of the route.