Job Relations

Job relations allow you to define dependencies and constraints between multiple jobs in your VRP optimization. These relations ensure that certain business rules are respected when the solver creates routes.

Overview

Job relations are defined using the relations array within each job. Each relation specifies:

A type indicating the constraint type
A list of jobs that are part of this relation
Additional parameters specific to each relation type

{
  "resources": [
    {
      "id": "v1",
      "name": "Vehicle 1",
      "shifts": [
        {
          "id": "shift1",
          "from": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z",
          "to": "2024-03-15T18:00:00Z"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [
    {
      "id": "pickup-1",
      "name": "Pickup 1",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5230, "lon": 13.4010}
    },
    {
      "id": "delivery-1",
      "name": "Delivery 1",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5170, "lon": 13.3880},
      "relations": [
        {
          "type": "SEQUENCE",
          "jobs": ["pickup-1", "delivery-1"],
          "minTimeInterval": 0,
          "maxTimeInterval": 3600
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Available Relation Types

SEQUENCE

Jobs must be visited in the specified order, but other jobs can be scheduled between them.

{
  "type": "SEQUENCE",
  "jobs": ["job-1", "job-2", "job-3"],
  "minTimeInterval": 300,
  "maxTimeInterval": 7200
}

The time intervals specify the gap between when one job ends and the next job begins. This is useful for ensuring adequate travel time or preparation between related tasks.

Use Cases:

Multi-stop deliveries where order matters
Service appointments with dependencies
Workflows requiring specific sequences

DIRECT_SEQUENCE

Jobs must be visited in the exact order with no other jobs scheduled between them.

{
  "type": "DIRECT_SEQUENCE",
  "jobs": ["pickup", "delivery"]
}

Use Cases:

Immediate transfer operations
Time-critical handoffs
Continuous processes that cannot be interrupted

SAME_TRIP

All jobs in the relation must be assigned to the same route/trip.

{
  "type": "SAME_TRIP",
  "jobs": ["pickup-1", "pickup-2", "delivery-hub"],
  "partialPlanning": false
}

Use Cases:

Consolidation requirements
Grouped deliveries
Ensuring related tasks stay together

SAME_TIME

Jobs must start or end within a specified time window of each other, with optional minimum time intervals.

{
  "type": "SAME_TIME",
  "jobs": ["install-1", "install-2"],
  "minTimeInterval": 300,
  "maxTimeInterval": 600,
  "maxWaitingTime": 3600,
  "timeInterval": "FROM_ARRIVAL"
}

Minimum Time Interval Behavior: When minTimeInterval is specified, the last job in the jobs array must arrive/depart at least minTimeInterval seconds after all other jobs. This is useful for staggered arrivals or ensuring adequate spacing between operations.

Use Cases:

Synchronized operations
Team installations
Coordinated services
Staggered arrivals at loading docks
Sequential processing with minimum gaps

Example with Minimum Time Interval:

{
  "type": "SAME_TIME",
  "jobs": ["truck-1-arrival", "truck-2-arrival", "dock-preparation"],
  "minTimeInterval": 300,
  "maxTimeInterval": 600,
  "maxWaitingTime": 3600,
  "timeInterval": "FROM_ARRIVAL"
}

In this example, if “dock-preparation” is the last job in the array, it will arrive at least 300 seconds (5 minutes) after both truck arrivals, ensuring the dock is ready when preparation begins.

SAME_RESOURCE

All jobs must be assigned to the same resource/vehicle (can be on different days).

{
  "type": "SAME_RESOURCE",
  "jobs": ["service-1", "service-2", "service-3"],
  "resource": "technician-123"
}

Use Cases:

Customer preference for specific technician
Specialized equipment requirements
Continuity of service

PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY

Enforces that pickup happens before delivery, with both assigned to the same resource.

{
  "type": "PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY",
  "jobs": ["pickup-order-123", "delivery-order-123"]
}

Use Cases:

Courier services
Equipment rental returns
Any pickup/delivery pair

NEIGHBOR

Jobs should be scheduled consecutively by the same resource (flexible order).

{
  "type": "NEIGHBOR",
  "jobs": ["stop-1", "stop-2", "stop-3"]
}

Use Cases:

Minimizing travel between related stops
Clustered service areas
Efficiency optimization

SAME_DAY

All jobs must be completed on the same calendar day.

{
  "type": "SAME_DAY",
  "jobs": ["morning-pickup", "afternoon-delivery"]
}

Use Cases:

Same-day delivery services
Daily batch processing
Time-sensitive operations

GROUP_SEQUENCE

Enforces ordering between groups of jobs based on tags.

{
  "type": "GROUP_SEQUENCE",
  "tags": ["priority-high", "priority-normal", "priority-low"]
}

Use Cases:

Priority-based scheduling
Phased operations
Category-based ordering

FIRST_JOB

Ensures a job is scheduled as the first stop for a resource.

{
  "type": "FIRST_JOB",
  "jobs": ["warehouse-pickup"]
}

Use Cases:

Morning warehouse pickups
Mandatory first stops
Initial setup requirements

Complete Example

Here’s a comprehensive example showing multiple relation types working together:

{
  "resources": [
    {
      "id": "vehicle-1",
      "name": "Vehicle 1",
      "shifts": [
        {
          "id": "shift1",
          "start": {
            "location": {"lat": 52.5200, "lon": 13.4050},
            "time": "2024-03-15T08:00:00Z"
          },
          "end": {
            "location": {"lat": 52.5200, "lon": 13.4050},
            "time": "2024-03-15T18:00:00Z"
          },
          "capacity": [1000]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [
    {
      "id": "warehouse-pickup",
      "name": "Warehouse Pickup",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5200, "lon": 13.4050},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 1800,
      "relations": [
        {
          "type": "FIRST_JOB",
          "jobs": ["warehouse-pickup"]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "customer-pickup-1",
      "name": "Customer Pickup 1",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5230, "lon": 13.4010},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 600,
      "activity": "PICKUP",
      "relations": [
        {
          "type": "PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY",
          "jobs": ["customer-pickup-1", "customer-delivery-1"]
        },
        {
          "type": "SAME_DAY",
          "jobs": ["customer-pickup-1", "customer-delivery-1", "customer-pickup-2", "customer-delivery-2"]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "customer-delivery-1",
      "name": "Customer Delivery 1",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5170, "lon": 13.3880},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 600,
      "activity": "DELIVERY"
    },
    {
      "id": "customer-pickup-2",
      "name": "Customer Pickup 2",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5280, "lon": 13.4120},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 600,
      "activity": "PICKUP",
      "tags": [{"name": "express"}],
      "relations": [
        {
          "type": "PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY",
          "jobs": ["customer-pickup-2", "customer-delivery-2"]
        },
        {
          "type": "SEQUENCE",
          "jobs": ["customer-pickup-2", "customer-delivery-2"],
          "maxTimeInterval": 3600
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "customer-delivery-2",
      "name": "Customer Delivery 2",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5090, "lon": 13.3760},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 600,
      "activity": "DELIVERY",
      "tags": [{"name": "express"}]
    },
    {
      "id": "return-to-warehouse",
      "name": "Return to Warehouse",
      "location": {"lat": 52.5200, "lon": 13.4050},
      "serviceDurationInSeconds": 1800,
      "windows": [["2024-03-15T16:00:00Z", "2024-03-15T18:00:00Z"]]
    }
  ]
}

Best Practices

When using job relations, consider these best practices:

Start Simple: Begin with basic relations and add complexity as needed
Avoid Over-constraining: Too many relations can make the problem infeasible
Use Partial Planning: Enable partialPlanning for relations that might be too restrictive
Test Incrementally: Add relations one at a time to identify conflicts
Monitor Performance: Complex relations can increase solve time

Troubleshooting

Common issues when using job relations:

Infeasible Solutions: Too many conflicting relations
Long Solve Times: Complex relation networks require more computation
Unexpected Results: Relations might interact in non-obvious ways

Use the /v2/vrp/jobs/{id}/explanation endpoint to understand why certain relations couldn’t be satisfied in your solution.

Time Windows - Combine with relations for complex scheduling
Multi-Day Planning - Use SAME_DAY and SAME_RESOURCE across days
Capacities - Relations respect capacity constraints

Platform

VRP API

Job Relations

Job Relations

Overview

Available Relation Types

SEQUENCE

DIRECT_SEQUENCE

SAME_TRIP

SAME_TIME

SAME_RESOURCE

PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY

NEIGHBOR

SAME_DAY

GROUP_SEQUENCE

FIRST_JOB

Complete Example

Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Platform

VRP API

​Job Relations

​Overview

​Available Relation Types

​SEQUENCE

​DIRECT_SEQUENCE

​SAME_TRIP

​SAME_TIME

​SAME_RESOURCE

​PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY

​NEIGHBOR

​SAME_DAY

​GROUP_SEQUENCE

​FIRST_JOB

​Complete Example

​Best Practices

​Troubleshooting

​Related Features

Job Relations

Overview

Available Relation Types

SEQUENCE

DIRECT_SEQUENCE

SAME_TRIP

SAME_TIME

SAME_RESOURCE

PICKUP_AND_DELIVERY

NEIGHBOR

SAME_DAY

GROUP_SEQUENCE

FIRST_JOB

Complete Example

Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Related Features