1

Transportation
Stepping Stone Method

K. R. Der
Asst. Prof. Mechanical
Government Engineering College, Bhuj
Optimum Solutions 2

Methods
 Stepping
Stone Method
 MODI method

Conditions:
 rimcondition
 m + n -1 allocations
Stepping Stone method 3

Look at the solution we obtained in VAM W1 W2 W3 W4

There are 19 30 50 10
F1 5 2
m + n – 1 allocation (occupied cell) and
70 30 40 60
{ m x n – (m+n–1)} empty cell. F2 2
7
This empty cell are the promising cell in a way that 40 08 70 20
F3 1
it may be possible that by allocating some unit at 8 0
certain cell the total transportation cost may
decreases. Min Z = 779
Thus we have to find an opportunity cost for this
empty cell.
Stepping Stone method 4

Opportunity cost (for this empty cell) is calculated by allocating

one unit to the empty cell by satisfying the rim condition and
finding change in transportation cost.
To find opportunity cost, start (draw path) from empty cell and take
a right angle (900) turn from occupied cell in such a way to return to
home cell.
Calculate the change in cost by allocating one unit. If the cost for
that path is decreases then it is considered as an opportunity.
Stepping Stone method 5
In the given table, lets check opportunity
for F1W2 cell W1 W2 W3 W4
19 30 50 10
To draw a path…. F1 5 2
Start from F1W2 cell and move to occupied 70 30 40 60
F2 2
7
cell F1W4 40 08 70 20
F3 1
8
From F1W4 cell take right angle turn to 0

F3W4 cell Min Z = 779

From F3W4 cell take right angle turn to

F3W2 cell
From F3W2 cell take right angle turn to
return home cell
Stepping Stone method 6
opportunity cost calculated by allocating 1
unit to empty cell. W1 W2 W3 W4
19 30 50 10
Here F1 5 2
+ -
Allocating 1 unit F1W2 cell there must be 70 30 40 60
decrease in 1 unit from F1W4 cell to satisfy F2 7 2
rim condition 40 08 70 20
1
As 1 unit decreases from F1W4 cell there F3 8 0
- +
must be increases of 1 unit in F3W4 cell

And so on + and – from corresponding cell to satisfy overall rim

condition
Stepping Stone method 7
So the opportunity cost for F1W2 cell is W1 W2 W3 W4
calculated by assigning + and – sign with 19 30 50 10
F1 5 2
the cost for the path as shown. + -
Cell F1W2 70 30 40 60
F2 7 2
Path +F1W2 - F1W4 + F3W4 - F3W2
40 08 70 20
1
Opp. Cost +30 –10 +20 – 08 = +32 F3 8 0
- +

The opportunity cost is +32, means by allocating 1 unit there is increase

in 32 rupees in total cost which is not promising
Stepping Stone method 8

Thus Opportunity cost for every empty cell is calculated by

allocating 1 unit and making closed path taking right angle turn
from occupied cell as discussed.
All the cell having negative opportunity cost are considered
promising cells (transportation cost decreases by allocating in that
cell)
Stepping Stone method 9
–ve cost means opportunity, it is desirable to transfer maximum number
of unit in that cell considering rim condition (that is smallest allocation
form –ve sign in that closed path)
For example cell F2W2 W1 W2 W3 W4
19 30 50 10
Path +F2W2 – F2W4 + F3W4 - F3W2 F1 5
2
Opp. Cost +30 –60 +20 – 08 = -18 70 30 40 60
Here, cell F2W4 & F3W2 having –ve sign F2 7 2
+ -
So 2 unit is transferable. 40 08 70 20
1
F3 8 0
- +
Stepping Stone method 10

Once allocation is made in empty cell, then again it is required to check

for optimality in the new table till all the opportunity cost becomes ≥ o
If there are more then one cell having –ve value, than simultaneous
change only made if both cell have independent path. (i.e. path doesn't
intersect each other). Otherwise one by one changes made in table.
Stepping Stone method 11

Now let’s check weather previous VAM solution is

optimum or not by calculating opportunity cost for all
empty cell by creating closed path as discussed.
Stepping Stone method 12
Empty Cell Closed Path
Opportunity Cost
W1 W2 W3 W4
F1W2 F1W2 – F1W4 + F3W4 – F3W2 19 30 50 10
30 -10 + 20 - 8 = +32
F1 5 2
F1W3 F1W3 – F1W4 + F2W4 –F2W3
50 -10 + 60 - 40 = +60 70 30 40 60
F2W1 F2W1 – F1W1 + F1W4 –F2W4 F2 7 2
70 -19 + 10 - 60 = +01
F2W2 F2W2 – F2W4 + F3W4 –F3W2 40 08 70 20
30 -60 + 20 - 08 = -18 1
F3 8 0
F3W1 F3W1 – F1W1 + F1W4 –F3W4
40 -19 + 10 - 20 = +11
F3W3 F3W3 – F2W3 + F2W4 –F3W4
70 -40 + 60 - 20 = +70
Stepping Stone method 13

F2W2 F2W2 – F2W4 + F3W4 –F3W2 W1 W2 W3 W4

30 -60 + 20 - 08 = -18
19 30 50 10
F1 5 2
As F2W2 have a -ve cost,
it is promising cell for allocation. 70 30 40 60
W2 W4 W2 W4 F2 7 2
30 60 30 60 40 08 70 20
F2 F2 1
+ - 2 2 - F3 8 0
08 20 08 20
F3 1 F3 1
- 8 + 0 6 + 2
Stepping Stone method 14
Empty Closed Path
Cell Opportunity Cost W1 W2 W3 W4
F1W2 F1W2 – F1W4 + F3W4 – F3W2 19 30 50 10
30 -10 + 20 - 8 = +32 F1 5 2
F1W3 F1W3 – F1W4 + F3W4 –F3W2 + F2W2- F2W3
50 -10 + 20 – 08 + 30 - 40 = +42 70 30 40 60
F2 2 7
F2W1 F2W1 – F2W2 + F3W2 –F3W4 –F1W4 +F1W1
70 -30 + 08 – 20 +10 -19 = +19
F2W4 F2W4 – F3W4 + F3W2 –F2W2
40 08 70 20
1
60 -20 + 08 - 30 = +18 F3 6 2
F3W1 F3W1 – F1W1 + F1W4 –F3W4
40 -19 + 10 - 20 = +11
F3W3 F3W3 – F3W2 + F2W2 –F2W3 Since all the cost is +ve, these is an optimum
70 -08 + 30 - 40 = +52 solution.
Stepping Stone method 15
Since all the opportunity cost is +ve, means W1 W2 W3 W4
transportation cost increase by allocating in these 19 30 50 10
cell which is not promising so these is an F1 5 2
optimum solution.
70 30 40 60
F1W1 19 x 05 = 95 F2 2 7
F1W4 10 x 02 = 20
F2W2 30 x 02 = 60 40 08 70 20
1
F2W3 40 x 07 = 280 F3 6 2
F3W2 08 x 06 = 48
F3W4 20 x 12 = 240
total cost = 743