MODI Method (UV Method) Transportation Problem

The MODI (Modified Distribution Method) or UV Method is an efficient way to optimize a basic feasible solution of a transportation problem. Heres steps of this method using an example with calculations.

Problem Statement

Let’s consider the following transportation problem. We have three sources $ S_1, S_2, S_3 $ and three destinations $ D_1, D_2, D_3 $. The supply available at each source and the demand at each destination are as follows:

To solve the transportation problem, we must ensure that the problem is balanced ie. the total supply equals the total demand.

Since total supply equals total demand, we can proceed to find a feasible solution.

We first obtain an initial feasible solution using methods such as North-West Corner Rule, Matrix Minima Method, Vogel’s Approximation Method (VAM), or Least Cost Method. Here, we use the North-West Corner Rule:

Initial Feasible Solution (North-West Corner Rule)

Here no of allocation = m+n-1 = 5 And allocation are independent . so the problem is non-degenerate. This satisfies all supply and demand constraints.

Initial Transportation cost

Now we will use MODI method

Using the MODI Method

We will apply the MODI Method to check the optimality of our initial feasible solution and to find the optimal solution if needed.

Current Allocation

The current allocation from the North-West Corner Rule is:

The total cost of this allocation was previously calculated as:

Step 1: Calculate Opportunity Costs

Previously calculated opportunity costs are:

• For $ (S_1, D_3) $: $ 10 $
• For $ (S_2, D_1) $: $ 51 $
• For $ (S_3, D_1) $: $ -9 $
• For $ (S_3, D_2) $: $ -52 $

Step 2: Identify the Most Negative Opportunity Cost

The most negative opportunity cost is for $ (S_3, D_2) $ with a cost of $ -52 $. We will perform adjustments based on this cell.

Step 3: Create a Loop

To adjust the allocation, we need to form a closed loop. We will increase the allocation at $ (S_3, D_2) $ while decreasing the allocations in the following manner:

1. Increase $ (S_3, D_2) $.
2. Decrease $ (S_2, D_2) $.
3. Decrease $ (S_2, D_3) $.
4. Decrease $ (S_1, D_2) $.
5. Decrease $ (S_1, D_1) $.

Assume we increase the allocation at $ (S_3, D_2) $ by $ x $.

Step 4: Update the Allocations

Starting from the current allocations, let’s denote the new allocations as follows:

1. Increase: $ (S_3, D_2) = x $
2. Decrease:
   • $ (S_2, D_2) = 6 - x $ (can decrease up to 6)
   • $ (S_2, D_3) = 3 - x $
   • $ (S_1, D_2) = 2 - x $
   • $ (S_1, D_1) = 5 - x $

To maintain the non-negativity of allocations, we need to choose $ x $ carefully.

Maximum Value of $ x $

To find the maximum possible value of $ x $:

• For $ (S_2, D_2) $: maximum is $ 6 $.
• For $ (S_2, D_3) $: maximum is $ 3 $.
• For $ (S_1, D_2) $: maximum is $ 2 $.
• For $ (S_1, D_1) $: maximum is $ 5 $.

The smallest value among these is $ 2 $ (from $ (S_1, D_2) $), so we can increase the allocation to $ 2 $.

New Allocations

The new allocations will be:

• $ (S_3, D_2) = 2 $
• $ (S_2, D_2) = 6 - 2 = 4 $
• $ (S_2, D_3) = 3 - 2 = 1 $
• $ (S_1, D_2) = 2 - 2 = 0 $
• $ (S_1, D_1) = 5 - 2 = 3 $

Updated Allocation Table

The new allocation table will be:

Step 5: Calculate the New Total Cost

Now, calculate the new total cost:

Calculating each term:

• $ 19 \times 3 = 57 $
• $ 30 \times 0 = 0 $
• $ 50 \times 0 = 0 $
• $ 70 \times 0 = 0 $
• $ 30 \times 4 = 120 $
• $ 40 \times 1 = 40 $
• $ 70 \times 18 = 1260 $

Thus,

Step 6: Recalculate Opportunity Costs

Next, we need to recalculate the opportunity costs based on the new allocations:

1. Assign $ u_1 = 0 $ for $ S_1 $.
2. Calculate $ v_j $ values for $ D_1, D_2, D_3 $.
3. Calculate $ u_2, u_3 $ based on the new allocations.

From the new allocation:

• For $ S_1, D_1 $: $ u_1 + v_1 = 19 $ → $ v_1 = 19 $
• For $ S_2, D_2 $: $ u_2 + v_2 = 30 $ → $ u_2 + 30 = 30 $ → $ u_2 = 0 $
• For $ S_3, D_3 $: $ u_3 + v_3 = 70 $ → $ u_3 + 40 = 70 $ → $ u_3 = 30 $

Now we can summarize:

• $ u_1 = 0 $
• $ u_2 = 0 $
• $ u_3 = 30 $
• $ v_1 = 19 $
• $ v_2 = 30 $
• $ v_3 = 40 $

Opportunity Costs Calculation

Calculate opportunity costs for the unallocated cells again:

• For $ (S_1, D_2) $: $ 30 - (0 + 30) = 0 $
• For $ (S_2, D_1) $: $ 70 - (0 + 19) = 51 $
• For $ (S_3, D_1) $: $ 40 - (30 + 19) = -9 $
• For $ (S_3, D_2) $: $ 8 - (30 + 30) = -52 $
• For $ (S_2, D_3) $: $ 40 - (0 + 40) = 0 $

Step 7: Optimality Check

Now, we check if all opportunity costs are non-negative:

• Opportunity Costs: $ 0, 51, -9, -52, 0 $.

Since we still have negative opportunity costs, the solution is not optimal, and further adjustments are needed.

Final Result

Thus, the optimal transportation solution is:

And the optimal transportation cost is: