A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm for Integrated Truck Scheduling and Product Routing on the Cross-Docking System with Multiple Receiving and Shipping Docks

Abstract

In this research, a truck scheduling problem for a cross-docking system with multiple receiving and shipping docks is studied. Until recently, single-dock cross-docking problems are studied mostly. This research is focused on the multiple-dock problems. The objective of the problem is to determine the best docking sequences of inbound and outbound trucks to the receiving and shipping docks, respectively, which minimize the maximal completion time. We propose a new hybrid genetic algorithm to solve this problem. This genetic algorithm improves the solution quality through the population scheme of the nested structure and the new product routing heuristic. To avoid unnecessary infeasible solutions, a linked-chromosome representation is used to link the inbound and outbound truck sequences, and locus-pairing crossovers and mutations for this representation are proposed. As a result of the evaluation of the benchmark problems, it shows that the proposed hybrid GA provides a superior solution compared to the existing heuristics.

Truck Scheduling Model in the Cross-docking Terminal by using Multi-agent System and Shortest Remaining Time Algorithm

“…Cross-docking system is one popular supply chain management (SCM) system which is implemented in a distribution center [1,2]. This system is different from the conventional supply chain management system.…”

“…This system is different from the conventional supply chain management system. In the conventional system, the arriving products are stored first in a big warehouse or storage area [1]. Then, these products are sorted and delivered to the customers [1].…”

“…In the conventional system, the arriving products are stored first in a big warehouse or storage area [1]. Then, these products are sorted and delivered to the customers [1]. Meanwhile, in the cross-docking system, the arriving products from the inbound vehicles will be transferred immediately to the outbound vehicles.…”

“…Based on its characteristics, the cross-docking system has several advantages. The first advantage is improving service level [1] by reducing total completion time [1] in the terminal and delivery time [3,4] so that the products will be delivered to the customers faster. The second advantage is the crossdocking system can reduce the cost of warehousing [3], such as inventory-holding cost [3,4], handling cost [3], transportation cost [3,4], labor cost [3], storage space cost [3], and order picking cost [4].…”

“…One important problem in the cross-docking system is the truck scheduling problem. Because the fast-processing time is achieved by transferring the products from the inbound vehicles to the outbound vehicles as immediately as possible, the accuracy of the truck scheduling must be high [1]. This scheduling model means matching the inbound trucks and the outbound trucks which are docked at the doors at the same time [1].…”