Comparison of Existing Methods of Solving Linear Transportation Problems with a New Approach

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 4,Issue 5, Sept. 2016

Year:

2016

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

North West Corner Method, Least Cost Method, Vogels Approximation Method, Allocation Table Method, Initial Basic Feasible Solution

Authors:

Opara Jude; Okenwe Idochi; Iheagwara Andrew Ihuoma

Journal:

IJISM

Volume:

4

Number:

5

Pages:

158-163

Month:

Sept

ISSN:

2347-9051

Abstract:

This study examined comparatively the existing methods of solving linear transportation problems with a new approach proposed by Mollah [6]. The existing methods known as North West Corner Method, Least Cost Method, and Vogel’s Approximation Method were compared to a new proposed algorithm known as Allocation Table Method. A real life data were collected from Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Calabar Cross River State Nigerian, and two numerical examples were collected from the exercise of Inyama [5]. The Allocation Table Method was solved using the stated algorithm, while the other three existing methods were solved via TORA software. From the analysis carried out in this study, it has been observed that the allocation table method did not yield comparatively a better result. We then conclude that the inefficiency of allocation table method has been tested by solving several number of cost minimizing transportation problems and it is found that the allocation table method did not yield a better result compare to the existing methods. It is therefore recommended that Mollah [6] should re-visit their proposed algorithm to probably know the lacuna in it, and future researchers should also look into a similar study to make their comments as regards to this contradiction.

Full text: IJASM_205_FINAL.pdf [Bibtex]