An overview of vehicle routing problems: A comprehensive classification and description of types

In every supply chain, transportation is a significant and crucial component that has various impacts on the economy, environment, and society. One of the most widely used subfields of transportation planning, known as the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP), is studied to optimize transportation while considering all the mentioned dimensions. In recent years, many researchers have conducted various studies in this field. This research presents a systematic literature review on different routing problems from 2010 to 2025. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive classification of the various types of routing problems, primarily based on their distinct constraints, followed by a detailed description of each type. Therefore, the various studies in this field have been examined based on input parameters, approaches to dealing with uncertainty, objective functions, sustainability factors, modeling characteristics, solution methods, algorithms used, and case studies. Furthermore, the various types of VRP models, based on their modeling indicators, are investigated through a bibliometric analysis. To the best of our knowledge, the extensive classification presented, comprising 32 identified categories, has not been addressed in any previous reviews in this field. Finally, the results of all relevant studies are analyzed, and research gaps are identified to inform potential future research opportunities.