What kind of optimization model is the transportation model?

The transportation model is classified as a linear optimization model because it seeks to minimize the costs associated with transporting goods from multiple suppliers to multiple consumers while satisfying supply and demand constraints. In this model, the objective function and the constraints are linear relationships, focusing on variables such as the amount of goods transported and the associated transportation costs.

Linear optimization provides a framework that allows for the use of mathematical techniques to find the best possible outcome, such as minimizing transportation costs or maximizing efficiency in logistics. By employing linear programming techniques, the transportation model can effectively determine the optimal shipping quantities that need to be allocated from suppliers to consumers to achieve the desired cost efficiency, thereby illustrating the core principles of linear optimization in operations management.