Development of a Bio-Inspired Routing Algorithm According to Values of Solidarity and a Freirean Perspective of Engineering

Abstract

A routing algorithm for Señoritas Courier, a bicycle delivery cooperative in São Paulo, Brazil, composed exclusively of cis women and trans people, is presented in this paper. Unlike conventional logistics optimization, which typically focuses on cost or distance minimization, this cooperative operates under principles of solidarity, care, and equitable income distribution. The algorithm was developed through a participatory process involving cooperative members as co-designers. The classical Vehicle Routing Problem proved inadequate for this context, as it disregards individual constraints and fairness. We formulate a new variant, the Señoritas Routing Problem, which incorporates biker-specific constraints on weight, volume, and maximum distance, alongside a solidarity objective that balances route lengths. A genetic algorithm is employed as the solution method. Three fitness formulations are compared: a baseline distance-minimization operator, a constrained version, and a progressive formulation that penalizes workload imbalance. Results show that the progressive constrained formulation eliminates constraint violations and reduces the standard deviation of route lengths from 7.92 km to 0.81 km, at the cost of a moderate increase in total distance. This case demonstrates that operations research can be reoriented toward solidarity values, and that participatory methodologies are essential for aligning technical solutions with the needs of worker cooperatives.