A decomposition-based approach for the selection of standardized modular containers |
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| Authors: | Yen-Hung Lin Kimberly P Ellis Lisa M Thomas Barbara J Lombardi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.;2. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.;3. Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. |
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| Abstract: | The standardisation of packaging and containers for product handling has potential benefits from transportation, material handling and environmental perspectives. Likewise, standardised modular containers play an important role in the Physical Internet (PI). To support implementation of standard modular containers, we introduce a mathematical model to select a requisite number of modular containers to pack a set of products to maximise space utilisation. A decomposition-based solution methodology is developed and presented. Computational results from industry-based problem instances indicate that using standardised modular containers results in increased space utilisation at the unit load level. This finding substantiates the use of modular containers in moving toward the PI. |
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| Keywords: | logistics distribution Physical Internet mixed-integer programming |
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