The Application of Fuzzy Logic and the Forbidden Search Algorithm (TS) in the Field of Solving the Hub Problem for Locating Day Markets

Choosing suitable points to establish daily neighborhood markets, as service units, is an important task for urban planners in the field of location sciences. It is related to facilitating urban access and controlling urban traffic. The purpose of this research is to locate neighborhood day markets in Zabol, considering proper distribution to enhance accessibility and improve intra-city travel demand. The research method used in this study is descriptive and analytical. Initially, the positive and negative factors influencing location were identified and examined. Then, through data collection, information layer preparation, classification, internal valuation of the layers, and weighting and overlaying of information layers using fuzzy logic in a GIS environment, the lands of Zabol were prioritized for creating neighborhood day markets. Six favorable points for locating day markets were identified. Furthermore, considering the characteristics of each selected point and calculating the accessibility of the forty neighborhoods in Zabol, the forbidden search algorithm was applied to solve the hub location problem. The software provided the best possible answer after 100 iterations, with a final weight of 531, within a time frame of 11 seconds. The algorithm’s findings indicate that points 1, 2, 4, and 5 are the most suitable for locating day markets.