IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transe/v158y2022ics1366554522000175.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Intralogistics synchronization in robotic forward-reserve warehouses for e-commerce last-mile delivery

Author

Listed:
  • Jiang, Min
  • Huang, George Q.

Abstract

This paper treats intralogistics processing in a typical robotic forward-reserve e-commerce warehouse involving a reserve area with manual order-picking operations and a forward area with robotic parts-to-picker order sorting operations. It is critical to synchronize intralogistics operations between the two areas considering delivery requirements to optimize the performance in terms of makespan and costs. This challenge is formulated as a delivery-driven intralogistics synchronization (DDIS) problem. This paper develops a tailored variable neighborhood search solution method. A series of comprehensive numerical experiments under various scenarios show the superiority and stability of the DDIS as benchmarked with sequential approaches. A substantial reduction can be achieved in both makespan and forward area size, indicating significantly improved intralogistics operational efficiency and space utilization. Managerial insights are also discussed for specific action plans regarding the market size, the labor force, and the trolley configuration.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiang, Min & Huang, George Q., 2022. "Intralogistics synchronization in robotic forward-reserve warehouses for e-commerce last-mile delivery," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:158:y:2022:i:c:s1366554522000175
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2022.102619
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1366554522000175
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tre.2022.102619?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Setareh Mohammadi & Mirzapour Al-E-Hashem Seyed Mohammad Javad & Yacine Rekik, 2020. "An integrated production scheduling and delivery route planning with multi-purpose machines : A case study from a furniture manufacturing company," Post-Print hal-02275848, HAL.
    2. Scholz, André & Schubert, Daniel & Wäscher, Gerhard, 2017. "Order picking with multiple pickers and due dates – Simultaneous solution of Order Batching, Batch Assignment and Sequencing, and Picker Routing Problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 263(2), pages 461-478.
    3. Ardjmand, Ehsan & Shakeri, Heman & Singh, Manjeet & Sanei Bajgiran, Omid, 2018. "Minimizing order picking makespan with multiple pickers in a wave picking warehouse," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 169-183.
    4. Boysen, Nils & Briskorn, Dirk & Emde, Simon, 2017. "Parts-to-picker based order processing in a rack-moving mobile robots environment," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 262(2), pages 550-562.
    5. 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.
    6. Roy, Debjit & Nigam, Shobhit & de Koster, René & Adan, Ivo & Resing, Jacques, 2019. "Robot-storage zone assignment strategies in mobile fulfillment systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 119-142.
    7. van den Berg, Jeroen P. & Sharp, Gunter P. & Gademann, A. J. R. M. (Noud) & Pochet, Yves, 1998. "Forward-reserve allocation in a warehouse with unit-load replenishments," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 111(1), pages 98-113, November.
    8. Arbex Valle, Cristiano & Beasley, John E, 2020. "Order batching using an approximation for the distance travelled by pickers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(2), pages 460-484.
    9. Hung-Yu Lee & Chase C. Murray, 2019. "Robotics in order picking: evaluating warehouse layouts for pick, place, and transport vehicle routing systems," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(18), pages 5821-5841, September.
    10. VAN DEN BER, Jeroen P. & SHARPG, Gunter P. & GADEMANN, A.J.R.M. (Noud) & POCHET, Yves, 1998. "Forward-reserve allocation in a warehouse with unit-load replenishments," LIDAM Reprints CORE 1404, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    11. S. Mohammadi & S. Al-E-Hashem & Yacine Rekik, 2020. "An integrated production scheduling and delivery route planning with multi-purpose machines: A case study from a furniture manufacturing company," Post-Print hal-02194222, HAL.
    12. Le-Duc, Tho & de Koster, Rene M.B.M., 2007. "Travel time estimation and order batching in a 2-block warehouse," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 176(1), pages 374-388, January.
    13. Chen, Binchao & Matis, Timothy I., 2013. "A flexible dispatching rule for minimizing tardiness in job shop scheduling," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(1), pages 360-365.
    14. de Koster, Rene & Le-Duc, Tho & Roodbergen, Kees Jan, 2007. "Design and control of warehouse order picking: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 182(2), pages 481-501, October.
    15. Silva, Allyson & Coelho, Leandro C. & Darvish, Maryam & Renaud, Jacques, 2020. "Integrating storage location and order picking problems in warehouse planning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    16. Boysen, Nils & Fedtke, Stefan & Weidinger, Felix, 2018. "Optimizing automated sorting in warehouses: The minimum order spread sequencing problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 270(1), pages 386-400.
    17. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Weidinger, Felix, 2019. "Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 277(2), pages 396-411.
    18. Parikh, Pratik J. & Meller, Russell D., 2008. "Selecting between batch and zone order picking strategies in a distribution center," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(5), pages 696-719, September.
    19. Gu, Jinxiang & Goetschalckx, Marc & McGinnis, Leon F., 2007. "Research on warehouse operation: A comprehensive review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 177(1), pages 1-21, February.
    20. Han, Bin & Zhang, Wenjun & Lu, Xiwen & Lin, Yingzi, 2015. "On-line supply chain scheduling for single-machine and parallel-machine configurations with a single customer: Minimizing the makespan and delivery cost," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 244(3), pages 704-714.
    21. J Gu & M Goetschalckx & L F McGinnis, 2010. "Solving the forward-reserve allocation problem in warehouse order picking systems," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(6), pages 1013-1021, June.
    22. Setareh Mohammadi & Seyed Mohammad Javad Mirzapour Al-E-Hashem & Yacine Rekik, 2020. "An integrated production scheduling and delivery route planning with multi-purpose machines : A case study from a furniture manufacturing company," Post-Print hal-02312373, HAL.
    23. Felix Weidinger & Nils Boysen & Dirk Briskorn, 2018. "Storage Assignment with Rack-Moving Mobile Robots in KIVA Warehouses," Service Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(6), pages 1479-1495, December.
    24. Walter, Rico & Boysen, Nils & Scholl, Armin, 2013. "The discrete forward–reserve problem – Allocating space, selecting products, and area sizing in forward order picking," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 229(3), pages 585-594.
    25. Sanjay Jharkharia & Chiranjit Das, 2019. "Vehicle routing analyses with integrated order picking and delivery problem under carbon cap and trade policy," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(2), pages 223-243, September.
    26. Boysen, Nils & Fedtke, Stefan & Weidinger, Felix, 2018. "Optimizing automated sorting in warehouses: The minimum order spread sequencing problem," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 126183, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    27. Zhang, Jun & Wang, Xuping & Huang, Kai, 2018. "On-line scheduling of order picking and delivery with multiple zones and limited vehicle capacity," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 104-115.
    28. Maria Albareda-Sambola & Antonio Alonso-Ayuso & Elisenda Molina & Clara Simón De Blas, 2009. "Variable Neighborhood Search For Order Batching In A Warehouse," Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research (APJOR), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 26(05), pages 655-683.
    29. Xie, Lin & Thieme, Nils & Krenzler, Ruslan & Li, Hanyi, 2021. "Introducing split orders and optimizing operational policies in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 80-97.
    30. Hansen, Pierre & Mladenovic, Nenad, 2001. "Variable neighborhood search: Principles and applications," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(3), pages 449-467, May.
    31. Zhang, Jun & Liu, Feng & Tang, Jiafu & Li, Yanhui, 2019. "The online integrated order picking and delivery considering Pickers’ learning effects for an O2O community supermarket," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 180-199.
    32. Zhe Yuan & Yeming Gong, 2017. "Bot-In-Time Delivery for Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems," Post-Print hal-02311982, HAL.
    33. Jiang, Min & Leung, K.H. & Lyu, Zhongyuan & Huang, George Q., 2020. "Picking-replenishment synchronization for robotic forward-reserve warehouses," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    34. Zhi-Long Chen, 2010. "Integrated Production and Outbound Distribution Scheduling: Review and Extensions," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 58(1), pages 130-148, February.
    35. Yasmeen Jaghbeer & Robin Hanson & Mats Ingemar Johansson, 2020. "Automated order picking systems and the links between design and performance: a systematic literature review," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(15), pages 4489-4505, July.
    36. van Gils, Teun & Ramaekers, Katrien & Caris, An & de Koster, René B.M., 2018. "Designing efficient order picking systems by combining planning problems: State-of-the-art classification and review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 1-15.
    37. Teun Gils, 2019. "Designing efficient order picking systems: combining planning problems and integrating real-life features," 4OR, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 331-332, September.
    38. David Boywitz & Stefan Schwerdfeger & Nils Boysen, 2019. "Sequencing of picking orders to facilitate the replenishment of A-Frame systems," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(4), pages 368-381, April.
    39. Mohammadi, S. & Al-e-Hashem, S.M.J. Mirzapour & Rekik, Y., 2020. "An integrated production scheduling and delivery route planning with multi-purpose machines: A case study from a furniture manufacturing company," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 347-359.
    40. Weidinger, Felix & Boysen, Nils & Briskorn, Dirk, 2018. "Storage Assignment with Rack-Moving Mobile Robots in KIVA Warehouses," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 126190, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    41. Boysen, Nils & Briskorn, Dirk & Emde, Simon, 2017. "Parts-to-picker based order processing in a rack-moving mobile robots environment," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 85774, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    42. Kaveh Azadeh & René De Koster & Debjit Roy, 2019. "Robotized and Automated Warehouse Systems: Review and Recent Developments," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(4), pages 917-945, July.
    43. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Weidinger, Felix, 2019. "Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A survey," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 126185, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    44. Bipan Zou & Xianhao Xu & Yeming Gong & René de Koster, 2018. "Evaluating battery charging and swapping strategies in a robotic mobile fulfillment system," Post-Print hal-02312110, HAL.
    45. Tang, Christopher S. & Veelenturf, Lucas P., 2019. "The strategic role of logistics in the industry 4.0 era," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1-11.
    46. van Gils, Teun & Caris, An & Ramaekers, Katrien & Braekers, Kris & de Koster, René B.M., 2019. "Designing efficient order picking systems: The effect of real-life features on the relationship among planning problems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 47-73.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Lam, H.Y. & Ho, G.T.S. & Mo, Daniel Y. & Tang, Valerie, 2023. "Responsive pick face replenishment strategy for stock allocation to fulfil e-commerce order," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jiang, Min & Leung, K.H. & Lyu, Zhongyuan & Huang, George Q., 2020. "Picking-replenishment synchronization for robotic forward-reserve warehouses," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei & Hassini, Elkafi, 2022. "Order picking optimization with rack-moving mobile robots and multiple workstations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 527-544.
    3. Bingqian WANG & Xiuqing YANG & Mingyao QI, 2023. "Order and rack sequencing in a robotic mobile fulfillment system with multiple picking stations," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 35(2), pages 509-547, June.
    4. Lam, H.Y. & Ho, G.T.S. & Mo, Daniel Y. & Tang, Valerie, 2023. "Responsive pick face replenishment strategy for stock allocation to fulfil e-commerce order," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    5. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Hassini, Elkafi & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei, 2024. "Improving order picking efficiency through storage assignment optimization in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 316(2), pages 718-732.
    6. Zhong, Shuya & Giannikas, Vaggelis & Merino, Jorge & McFarlane, Duncan & Cheng, Jun & Shao, Wei, 2022. "Evaluating the benefits of picking and packing planning integration in e-commerce warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 301(1), pages 67-81.
    7. Lu Zhen & Jingwen Wu & Haolin Li & Zheyi Tan & Yingying Yuan, 2023. "Scheduling multiple types of equipment in an automated warehouse," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 322(2), pages 1119-1141, March.
    8. Justkowiak, Jan-Erik & Pesch, Erwin, 2023. "Stronger mixed-integer programming-formulations for order- and rack-sequencing in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 305(3), pages 1063-1078.
    9. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Hassini, Elkafi & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei, 2022. "Rack retrieval and repositioning optimization problem in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    10. Ding, Tianrong & Zhang, Yuankai & Wang, Zheng & Hu, Xiangpei, 2024. "Velocity-based rack storage location assignment for the unidirectional robotic mobile fulfillment system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    11. Gharehgozli, Amir & Zaerpour, Nima, 2020. "Robot scheduling for pod retrieval in a robotic mobile fulfillment system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    12. Boysen, Nils & de Koster, René & Weidinger, Felix, 2019. "Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A survey," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 277(2), pages 396-411.
    13. Xie, Lin & Thieme, Nils & Krenzler, Ruslan & Li, Hanyi, 2021. "Introducing split orders and optimizing operational policies in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 80-97.
    14. Li, Xiaowei & Hua, Guowei & Huang, Anqiang & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Cheng, T.C.E. & Huang, Fengquan, 2020. "Storage assignment policy with awareness of energy consumption in the Kiva mobile fulfilment system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    15. Russell Allgor & Tolga Cezik & Daniel Chen, 2023. "Algorithm for Robotic Picking in Amazon Fulfillment Centers Enables Humans and Robots to Work Together Effectively," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 53(4), pages 266-282, July.
    16. Onal, Sevilay & Zhu, Wen & Das, Sanchoy, 2023. "Order picking heuristics for online order fulfillment warehouses with explosive storage," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    17. Justkowiak, Jan-Erik & Pesch, Erwin, 2023. "A column generation driven heuristic for order-scheduling and rack-sequencing in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    18. Xie, Lin & Li, Hanyi & Luttmann, Laurin, 2023. "Formulating and solving integrated order batching and routing in multi-depot AGV-assisted mixed-shelves warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(2), pages 713-730.
    19. Boysen, Nils & Schwerdfeger, Stefan & Stephan, Konrad, 2023. "A review of synchronization problems in parts-to-picker warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(3), pages 1374-1390.
    20. Lamballais, T. & Merschformann, M. & Roy, D. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Azadeh, K. & Suhl, L., 2022. "Dynamic policies for resource reallocation in a robotic mobile fulfillment system with time-varying demand," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(3), pages 937-952.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:158:y:2022:i:c:s1366554522000175. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600244/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.