Abstract
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt;">Over the last two decades, the culture of the supply chain environment has transformed from one of mass production and distribution to one centered on pull-based demand sensing and response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This transformation, in turn, has necessitated the use of more efficient supply chain operations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One of the cornerstones of efficient supply chain operations is just-in-time (JIT) delivery and inventory reduction, both in-transit and in-facility (Anderson et al 2003, Simchi-Levi et al 2000). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>The goal of JIT, a sub-part of a larger concept referred to as time-critical logistics (TCL), is to facilitate the delivery of materials only as they are required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This practice, in turn, leads to improved efficiency by reducing inventory costs and idled capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In addition, JIT provides increased customer orientation and responsiveness; two very critical elements in an environment of intense competition and rising fuel prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A vital part of JIT is the routing and scheduling of shipments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Therefore, in order to effectively manage JIT, accurate predictions of routes and travel times are essential. (Miller et al 1999).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The JIT approach has dramatically increased the importance of reliability and efficiency throughout supply chain operations, in such areas as the sourcing of goods, transportation, manufacturing, and distribution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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