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Automated sortation conveyors: A survey from an operational research perspective

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  • Boysen, Nils
  • Briskorn, Dirk
  • Fedtke, Stefan
  • Schmickerath, Marcel

Abstract

Global trends such as just-in-time, containerization, and e-commerce have led to an ever increasing freight volume to be transported under tight delivery schedules. Many supply chains, thus, apply fully-automated sorting systems as one basic component of their distribution processes. Examples range from baggage handling in airports, over parcels sorted by tilt tray conveyors in distribution centers of the postal service industry, up to batches of picking orders isolated in the warehouses of e-commerce retailers. This paper surveys the scientific literature on all kinds of fully-automated conveyor-based sorting systems from an operational research perspective. We describe the wide range of applications and their different sorting systems, define their joint decision problems to be solved when designing and operating a sorter, review the literature, and identify future research challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Boysen, Nils & Briskorn, Dirk & Fedtke, Stefan & Schmickerath, Marcel, 2019. "Automated sortation conveyors: A survey from an operational research perspective," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 276(3), pages 796-815.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:276:y:2019:i:3:p:796-815
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2018.08.014
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bock, Felix & Bruhn, Henning, 2021. "Case study on scheduling cyclic conveyor belts," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Füßler, David, 2021. "The forgotten sons: Warehousing systems for brick-and-mortar retail chains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(2), pages 361-381.
    3. Boysen, Nils & Schwerdfeger, Stefan & W． Ulmer, Marlin, 2023. "Robotized sorting systems: Large-scale scheduling under real-time conditions with limited lookahead," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 310(2), pages 582-596.
    4. Xu, Xianhao & Chen, Yuerong & Zou, Bipan & Gong, Yeming, 2022. "Assignment of parcels to loading stations in robotic sorting systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    5. Khir, Reem & Erera, Alan & Toriello, Alejandro, 2023. "Robust planning of sorting operations in express delivery systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 306(2), pages 615-631.
    6. Ashraf, Muhammad Hasan & Chen, Yuwen & Yalcin, Mehmet G., 2022. "Minding Braess Paradox amid third-party logistics hub capacity expansion triggered by demand surge," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).

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