What does this research mean for the field?

The Modified Distribution (MODI) optimality test is necessary to achieve true cost minimization in transportation routing, reducing distribution costs by 14.7% compared to baseline methods in a simulated Nigerian case study. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate and compare four classical transportation-model algorithms for minimizing sachet water distribution costs following the removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria.

September 14, 2026Iconic Research and Engineering JournalsOpen Access

Comparative Transportation-Model Optimisation of Water Distribution under Post-Subsidy Freight Costs: A Delta State Case Study

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Authors

EVEkpu Nduka VictorUniversity of Delta Agbor

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Implication

Simulation study demonstrates transportation optimization cuts water freight costs by 14.7% under elevated fuel prices, indicating formal route allocation is essential for post-subsidy distribution.

Key Points

To evaluate and compare four classical transportation-model algorithms for minimizing sachet water distribution costs following the removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria.
Simulated a balanced distribution network consisting of 3 supply depots and 4 demand zones handling 1,900 cartons per week in Agbor, Delta State.
Formulated an objective unit-cost matrix parameterized by route distances, baseline diesel prices, assumed fuel consumption rates, and handling charges.
Computed baseline solutions using North-West Corner (NWCM), Least-Cost (LCM), and Vogel's Approximation (VAM) methods, followed by the Modified Distribution (MODI) optimality test and linear programming validation.
Initial allocation costs were ₦100,650 per week for NWCM, whereas LCM and VAM independently achieved identical initial allocations costing ₦86,750 per week.
Application of two MODI stepping-stone iterations established an optimal allocation costing ₦85,850 per week, achieving a 14.7% cost reduction compared to NWCM.
A 25% diesel price sensitivity analysis demonstrated that while overall logistics expenses increased, the cost-minimizing route allocation remained unchanged.

Cite This Study

Ekpu Nduka Victor (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7b3bf0926e14a848b2e97 https://doi.org/10.64388/irev10i3-1722997

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Implication

Simulation study demonstrates transportation optimization cuts water freight costs by 14.7% under elevated fuel prices, indicating formal route allocation is essential for post-subsidy distribution.