Solving pickup and drop-off problem using hybrid pointer networks with deep reinforcement learning

PLoS One. 2022 May 26;17(5):e0267199. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267199. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

In this study, we propose a general method for tackling the Pickup and Drop-off Problem (PDP) using Hybrid Pointer Networks (HPNs) and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL). Our aim is to reduce the overall tour length traveled by an agent while remaining within the truck's capacity restrictions and adhering to the node-to-node relationship. In such instances, the agent does not allow any drop-off points to be serviced if the truck is empty; conversely, if the vehicle is full, the agent does not allow any products to be picked up from pickup points. In our approach, this challenge is solved using machine learning-based models. Using HPNs as our primary model allows us to gain insight and tackle more complicated node interactions, which simplified our objective to obtaining state-of-art outcomes. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed neural network, as we achieve the state-of-art results for this problem as compared with the existing models. We deal with two types of demand patterns in a single type commodity problem. In the first pattern, all demands are assumed to sum up to zero (i.e., we have an equal number of backup and drop-off items). In the second pattern, we have an unequal number of backup and drop-off items, which is close to practical application, such as bike sharing system rebalancing. Our data, models, and code are publicly available at Solving Pickup and Dropoff Problem Using Hybrid Pointer Networks with Deep Reinforcement Learning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bicycling
  • High Pressure Neurological Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning
  • Motor Vehicles
  • Neural Networks, Computer

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Qassim University grant number [10300-cos-2020-1-3-1]. The financial support for this research under the number (10300- cos-2020-1-3-1) during the academic year 1442AH/2020AD.