A constructive aisle design model for unit-load warehouses with multiple pickup and deposit points

Abstract

We develop a network-based warehouse model of individual pallet locations and their interactions with appropriate cross aisles in order to evaluate the expected travel distance of a given design. The model is constructive in that it uses Particle Swarm Optimization to determine the best angles of cross aisles and picking aisles for multiple pre-determined pickup and deposit (P&D) points in a unit-load warehouse. Our results suggest that alternative designs offer reduced expected travel distance but at the expense of increased storage space. The opportunity for benefit also seems to decline as P&D points increase in number and dispersion. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.