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Using a TSP-heuristic for routing order pickers in warehouses

Author

Listed:
  • C. THEYS
  • O. BRÄYSY
  • W. DULLAERT
  • B. RAA

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with the sequencing and routing problem of order pickers in conventional multi-parallel-aisle warehouse systems. For this NP-hard Steiner Travelling Salesman Problem, exact algorithms only exist for warehouses with at most three cross aisles. We propose a new approach in which the problem is reformulated into a classical Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP). As a result, the powerful (meta)heuristic search procedures for the classical TSP can be used for solving this problem. To the best of our knowledge, a similar approach has not yet been used in the literature on order picking. Computational tests comparing the Lin-Kernighan TSP heuristic to traditional construction heuristics for routing order pickers report up to 47 percent average improvements on total distance travelled.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Theys & O. Bräysy & W. Dullaert & B. Raa, 2009. "Using a TSP-heuristic for routing order pickers in warehouses," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 09/549, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    • Handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:09/549
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