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Performance analysis and design trade-offs in warehouses with autonomous vehicle technology

Author

Listed:
  • Debjit Roy
  • Ananth Krishnamurthy
  • Sunderesh Heragu
  • Charles Malmborg

Abstract

Distribution centers have recently adopted Autonomous Vehicle-based Storage and Retrieval Systems (AVS/RSs) as a potential alternative to traditional automated storage and retrieval systems for processing unit-load operations. The autonomy of the vehicles in an AVS/RS provides a level of hardware sophistication, which can lead to the improvements in operation efficiency and flexibility that will be necessary in distribution centers of the future. However, in order to exploit the potential benefits of the technology, an AVS/RS must be designed using a detailed understanding of the underlying dynamics and performance trade-offs. Design decisions such as the configuration of aisles and columns, allocation of resources to zones, and vehicle assignment rules can have a significant impact on the performance of AVS/RSs. In this research, the performance impact of these design decisions is investigated using an analytical model. The system is modeled as a multi-class semi-open queuing network with class switching and a decomposition-based approach is developed to evaluate the system performance and obtain insights. Numerical studies provide various insights that could be useful in the design conceptualization of AVS/RSs.

Suggested Citation

  • Debjit Roy & Ananth Krishnamurthy & Sunderesh Heragu & Charles Malmborg, 2012. "Performance analysis and design trade-offs in warehouses with autonomous vehicle technology," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(12), pages 1045-1060.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:uiiexx:v:44:y:2012:i:12:p:1045-1060
    DOI: 10.1080/0740817X.2012.665201
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    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. Azadeh, K. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Roy, D., 2017. "Robotized Warehouse Systems: Developments and Research Opportunities," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2017-009-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.
    6. Kaveh Azadeh & Debjit Roy & René De Koster, 2019. "Design, Modeling, and Analysis of Vertical Robotic Storage and Retrieval Systems," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(5), pages 1213-1234, September.
    7. 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).
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. Fragapane, Giuseppe & de Koster, René & Sgarbossa, Fabio & Strandhagen, Jan Ola, 2021. "Planning and control of autonomous mobile robots for intralogistics: Literature review and research agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(2), pages 405-426.
    11. Elena Tappia & Debjit Roy & René de Koster & Marco Melacini, 2017. "Modeling, Analysis, and Design Insights for Shuttle-Based Compact Storage Systems," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 51(1), pages 269-295, February.
    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. Merschformann, M. & Lamballais, T. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Suhl, L., 2019. "Decision rules for robotic mobile fulfillment systems," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 6(C).
    14. 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).
    15. 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.
    16. 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.
    17. Carmen, Raïsa & Van Nieuwenhuyse, Inneke & Van Houdt, Benny, 2018. "Inpatient boarding in emergency departments: Impact on patient delays and system capacity," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 271(3), pages 953-967.
    18. Azadeh, K. & Roy, D. & de Koster, M.B.M., 2016. "Vertical or Horizontal Transport? - Comparison of robotic storage and retrieval systems," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2016-009-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.
    19. Liu, Tian & Gong, Yeming & De Koster, René B.M., 2018. "Travel time models for split-platform automated storage and retrieval systems," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 197-214.
    20. Kumawat, Govind Lal & Roy, Debjit & De Koster, René & Adan, Ivo, 2021. "Stochastic modeling of parallel process flows in intra-logistics systems: Applications in container terminals and compact storage systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 290(1), pages 159-176.
    21. Yanyan Wang & Jinning Qin & Shandong Mou & Ke Huang & Xiaofeng Zhao, 2023. "DSS approach for sustainable system design of shuttle-based storage and retrieval systems," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 698-726, September.
    22. 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.
    23. Dhingra, Vibhuti & Kumawat, Govind Lal & Roy, Debjit & Koster, René de, 2018. "Solving semi-open queuing networks with time-varying arrivals: An application in container terminal landside operations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(3), pages 855-876.
    24. 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.
    25. Tappia, E. & Roy, D. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Melacini, M., 2015. "Modeling, Analysis, and Design Insights for Shuttle-based Compact Storage Systems," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2015-010-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.

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