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Queuing models to analyze dwell-point and cross-aisle location in autonomous vehicle-based warehouse systems

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  • Roy, Debjit
  • Krishnamurthy, Ananth
  • Heragu, Sunderesh
  • Malmborg, Charles

Abstract

Technological innovations in warehouse automation systems, such as Autonomous Vehicle based Storage and Retrieval System (AVS/RS), are geared towards achieving greater operational efficiency and flexibility that would be necessary in warehouses of the future. AVS/RS relies on autonomous vehicles and lifts for horizontal and vertical transfer of unit-loads respectively. To implement a new technology such as AVS/RS, the choice of a design variable setting, interactions among the design variables, and the design trade-offs need to be well understood. In particular, design decisions such as the choice of vehicle dwell-point and location of cross-aisles could significantly affect the performance of an AVS/RS. Hence, we investigate the effect of these design decisions using customized analytical models based on multi-class semi-open queuing network theory. Numerical studies suggest that the average percentage reduction in storage and retrieval transactions with appropriate choice of dwell-point is about 8 percent and 4 percent respectively. While end of aisle location of the cross-aisle is commonly used in practice, our model suggests that there exists a better cross-aisle location within a tier (about 15 percent from end of aisle); however, the cycle time benefits by choosing the optimal cross-aisle location in comparison to the end of aisle cross-aisle location is marginal. Detailed simulations also indicate that the analytical model yields fairly accurate results.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy, Debjit & Krishnamurthy, Ananth & Heragu, Sunderesh & Malmborg, Charles, 2015. "Queuing models to analyze dwell-point and cross-aisle location in autonomous vehicle-based warehouse systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 242(1), pages 72-87.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:242:y:2015:i:1:p:72-87
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2014.09.040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ömer Öztürkoğlu & Kevin Gue & Russell Meller, 2012. "Optimal unit-load warehouse designs for single-command operations," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(6), pages 459-475.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Bipan Zou & Xianhao Xu & Yeming Gong & René de Koster, 2016. "Modeling parallel movement of lifts and vehicles in tier-captive vehicle-based warehousing systems," Post-Print hal-01892897, HAL.
    4. Tappia, Elena & Roy, Debjit & Melacini, Marco & De Koster, René, 2019. "Integrated storage-order picking systems: Technology, performance models, and design insights," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 274(3), pages 947-965.
    5. Chen, Wanying (Amanda) & De Koster, René & Gong, Yeming, 2023. "Warehouses without aisles: Layout design of a multi-deep rack climbing robotic system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    6. Dong, Wenquan & Jin, Mingzhou, 2021. "Travel time models for tier-to-tier SBS/RS with different storage assignment policies and shuttle dispatching rules," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. Mohamed Amjath & Laoucine Kerbache & James MacGregor Smith, 2024. "A Closed Queueing Networks Approach for an Optimal Heterogeneous Fleet Size of an Inter-Facility Bulk Material Transfer System," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-38, March.
    8. Chung, Sai-Ho, 2021. "Applications of smart technologies in logistics and transport: A review," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    9. Lamballais, T. & Roy, D. & de Koster, M.B.M., 2017. "Inventory Allocation in Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2017-001-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    10. Martin Epp & Simon Wiedemann & Kai Furmans, 2017. "A discrete-time queueing network approach to performance evaluation of autonomous vehicle storage and retrieval systems," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(4), pages 960-978, February.
    11. Claeys, Dieter & Adan, Ivo & Boxma, Onno, 2016. "Stochastic bounds for order flow times in parts-to-picker warehouses with remotely located order-picking workstations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 254(3), pages 895-906.
    12. Bipan Zou & René De Koster & Xianhao Xu, 2018. "Operating Policies in Robotic Compact Storage and Retrieval Systems," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(4), pages 788-811, August.
    13. Amjath, Mohamed & Kerbache, Laoucine & Smith, James MacGregor & Elomri, Adel, 2022. "Fleet sizing of trucks for an inter-facility material handling system using closed queueing networks," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 9(C).
    14. Wu, Guangmei & Xu, Xianhao & Gong, Yeming (Yale) & De Koster, René & Zou, Bipan, 2019. "Optimal design and planning for compact automated parking systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 273(3), pages 948-967.
    15. Lamballais, T. & Roy, D. & De Koster, M.B.M., 2017. "Estimating performance in a Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 256(3), pages 976-990.
    16. Zou, Bipan & Xu, Xianhao & Gong, Yeming (Yale) & De Koster, René, 2018. "Evaluating battery charging and swapping strategies in a robotic mobile fulfillment system," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(2), pages 733-753.
    17. Bipan Zou & Yeming (Yale) Gong & Xianhao Xu & Zhe Yuan, 2017. "Assignment rules in robotic mobile fulfilment systems for online retailers," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(20), pages 6175-6192, October.

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