python - How to create an automated vehicle routing simulation? -

i want create vehicle routing optimization program. have multiple vehicles travelling , delivering items finding shortest path b. @ first output results. may later create visual representation of program.

it has been suggested me find easiest in python.

i have task, seems daunting. not best programmer yet, not beginner either, @ maths , quick learner.

any advice on how break down task helpful. should use python? python modules particularly suited task?

psuedo code a* algorithm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/a*_search_algorithm

function a*(start,goal) closedset := empty set    // set of nodes evaluated. openset := {start}    // set of tentative nodes evaluated, containing start node came_from := empty map    // map of navigated nodes.  g_score[start] := 0    // cost start along best known path. // estimated total cost start goal through y. f_score[start] := g_score[start] + heuristic_cost_estimate(start, goal)  while openset not empty     current := node in openset having lowest f_score[] value     if current = goal         return reconstruct_path(came_from, goal)      remove current openset     add current closedset     each neighbor in neighbor_nodes(current)         if neighbor in closedset             continue         tentative_g_score := g_score[current] + dist_between(current,neighbor)          if neighbor not in openset or tentative_g_score < g_score[neighbor]              came_from[neighbor] := current             g_score[neighbor] := tentative_g_score             f_score[neighbor] := g_score[neighbor] + heuristic_cost_estimate(neighbor, goal)             if neighbor not in openset                 add neighbor openset  return failure  function reconstruct_path(came_from,current)     total_path := [current]     while current in came_from:         current := came_from[current]         total_path.append(current)     return total_path 

this common , pratical way find shortest path. scans surrounding area until start point , check point met , stops @ barriers

and depending on how hefty program python not best because of slower execution speeds compared other languages. if looking simplicity python best friend.