Distribution Center Location Research Articles

Research on Logistics Distribution Center Location Based on Improved Immune Algorithm

Logistics center is a mordern logistic facility. The distribution center location determines the operational efficiency of logistics system. The optimum location of distribution center is important to transportation. In order to improved the algorithm's efficiency, elite strategy was introduced based on the standard immune algorithm. The improved algorithm avoid trapping into local optimal solution and solving the problem more slowly. The role of the elite strategy is to make the optimal solution attractively in the next cycle. This method sovles problem both quantitatively and qualitatively, which makes final solution better in accordance with practical demands.

A Study of Layout of Urban Distribution Centers Based on Cost-Effective Distance of Transport

Profits, as one of the ultimate goals of business operations, plays a crucial role in business decision making process. Based on the negative correlation between warehousing costs and distribution costs, this paper introduces urban development coefficient and identifies the cost-effective distance of transport (CEDT) for urban distribution centers using quantitative calculation method and qualitative analysis including center of gravity model. In addition, with land availability and urban traffic control measures as related constraints, this paper identifies the locations of urban distribution centers and conducts an empirical analysis using Jiujiang City of Jiangxi Province as an example.

An Improved Bat Algorithm and its Application in the Logistics Distribution Center Location Problem

In this paper, according to the characteristics and influence factors of the distribution logistics and distribution center problem, a mathematical model of the distribution center of the LRTWP (Location and Routing with Time Window Problem) was established. An improved bat algorithm was used to solve the model, the parameter and selection operator in the algorithm is set reasonably. Simulations and results indicate that the improved bat algorithm has better feasibility and validity for solving the LRTWP.

Benefits of a Program Providing Recipes for Use of Donated Foods to Clients at Local Food Bank Distribution Centers

To discuss benefits of a program providing recipes that incorporate donated foods for clients at local food bank food distribution locations.

An Improved Simulated Annealing Algorithm and its Application in the Logistics Distribution Center Location Problem

In this paper, according to the characteristics and influence factors of the distribution logistics and distribution center problem, a mathematical model of the distribution center of the LRTWP (Location and Routing with Time Window Problem) was established. An improved simulated annealing algorithm was used to solve the model, the parameter and selection operator in the algorithm is setted reasonably. Simulations and results indicate that the improved simulated annealing algorithm has better feasibility and validity for solving the LRTWP.

A Nonlinear Dynamic Logistics Model For Disaster Response Under Uncertainty

To save lives and alleviate suffering, the response to emergency must be timely, effective, appropriate, and well organized. Logistics can play a key role. This paper presents a multi-objective dynamic stochastic model for a complex logistical problem in disaster relief operations. Prior to the disaster onset, design decisions including the number and location of local distribution centers needed as well as their inventory levels for each type of emergency supply are made. After the disaster onset, the designed network will use to conduct daily operational decisions over a planning horizon that covers the disaster duration. The first objective function attempts to minimize the sum of the expected value of the total cost of the relief chain; at the same time the model aims to maximize the affected areas’ satisfaction levels through minimizing the sum of the maximum shortages in the affected areas. A case study is presented to illustrate the potential applicability of our model for disaster planning for earthquake scenarios in the megacity of Tehran. The results demonstrate the practicability of the proposed multi-objective stochastic model.

Incorporating location, routing, and inventory decisions in a bi-objective supply chain design problem with risk-pooling

This paper considers a single-sourcing network design problem for a three-level supply chain. For the first time, a novel mathematical model is presented considering risk-pooling, the inventory existence at distribution centers (DCs) under demand uncertainty, the existence of several alternatives to transport the product between facilities, and routing of vehicles from distribution centers to customer in a stochastic supply chain system, simultaneously. This problem is formulated as a bi-objective stochastic mixed-integer nonlinear programming model. The aim of this model is to determine the number of located distribution centers, their locations, and capacity levels, and allocating customers to distribution centers and distribution centers to suppliers. It also determines the inventory control decisions on the amount of ordered products and the amount of safety stocks at each opened DC, selecting a type of vehicle for transportation. Moreover, it determines routing decisions, such as determination of vehicles' routes starting from an opened distribution center to serve its allocated customers and returning to that distribution center. All are done in a way that the total system cost and the total transportation time are minimized. The Lingo software is used to solve the presented model. The computational results are illustrated in this paper.

Location of a distribution center for a perishable product

A model that combines an inventory and location decision is presented, analyzed and solved. In particular, we consider a single distribution center location that serves a finite number of sales outlets for a perishable product. The total cost to be minimized, consists of the transportation costs from the distribution center to the sales outlets as well as the inventory related costs at the sales outlets. The location of the distribution center affects the inventory policy. Very efficient solution approaches for the location problem in a planar environment are developed. Computational experiments demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solution approaches.

Low Carbon Distribution Center's Location Decision Method under Carbon Emissions Constraint Condition

Low Carbon Distribution Center's Location Decision Method under Carbon Emissions Constraint Condition

A multi-objective supply chain model integrated with location of distribution centers and supplier selection decisions

Today, in the competitive markets, supply chain works as an interrelating network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers, to satisfy customer demands. Coordinating all parts of the supply chain is a multi-level process and needs important decisions that affect on the performance of each part and whole supply chain and some conflicting objectives should be considered. In this paper, the supplier selection problem is integrated with production decision and distributor location problems and a new mathematical model is proposed. Delivery time, total cost, and quality are the objective functions considered and weighting method is used to solve the multi-objective problem. A modified genetic algorithm is proposed to obtain Pareto optimal solution sets. Computational experiments are included for validation of proposed algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm gives high-quality solutions as well as better computational times.

Research on Logistics Distribution Center Location Model Based On GIS

Based on the advantages and disadvantages of location model in the analysis of the traditional distribution center, a GIS-based logistics center location model is established. First, the located targets and the main factors of the distribution center are determined. Then locative model of logistics distribution center is proposed based on GIS, which determines the best sites identified using GIS technology and spatial analysis methods. At last this paper realizes the model through the case study and shows that the model is feasible.

A multi-objective model for locating distribution centers in a supply chain network considering risk and inventory decisions

A multi-objective model for locating distribution centers in a supply chain network considering risk and inventory decisions

An Two-stage Algorithm on Logistics Distribution Center Location based on AHP and Transportation problem

An Two-stage Algorithm on Logistics Distribution Center Location based on AHP and Transportation problem

Research on Logistics Distribution Center Location Model and Evaluation Under Electronic Commerce

Modern logistics combines transportation, storage, loading and unloading, handling, carrying, packaging, processing, distribution, freight forwarders, information industry and socialized production of new services together, the development of economies scale and the reduction of transportation cost makes people pay attention to logistics distribution center gradually. Location of logistics distribution center plays a very important position in the logistics system, belongs to the logistics management strategy layer. In this paper, we investigate the multiple attribute decision making problems for evaluating the logistics distribution center location model with 2-tuple linguistic information. We extended the TOPSIS model to solve the evaluation problems of the logistics distribution center location model with 2-tuple linguistic information. Finally, a numerical example for evaluating the logistics distribution center location model with 2-tuple linguistic information is used to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed model.

Study on Multi-objective Location of Distribution Center Based on Covering

Distribution center is an important part of modern logistics system. In the process of designing distribution center, running expense can be greatly reduced by selecting appropriate location of distribution center. In this paper, the covering method was used twice to choose the distribution center and minimize the total cost. At last, a case was given to test the model. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i1.1915

An Effective Hybrid Self-Adapting Differential Evolution Algorithm for the Joint Replenishment and Location-Inventory Problem in a Three-Level Supply Chain

The integration with different decisions in the supply chain is a trend, since it can avoid the suboptimal decisions. In this paper, we provide an effective intelligent algorithm for a modified joint replenishment and location-inventory problem (JR-LIP). The problem of the JR-LIP is to determine the reasonable number and location of distribution centers (DCs), the assignment policy of customers, and the replenishment policy of DCs such that the overall cost is minimized. However, due to the JR-LIP's difficult mathematical properties, simple and effective solutions for this NP-hard problem have eluded researchers. To find an effective approach for the JR-LIP, a hybrid self-adapting differential evolution algorithm (HSDE) is designed. To verify the effectiveness of the HSDE, two intelligent algorithms that have been proven to be effective algorithms for the similar problems named genetic algorithm (GA) and hybrid DE (HDE) are chosen to compare with it. Comparative results of benchmark functions and randomly generated JR-LIPs show that HSDE outperforms GA and HDE. Moreover, a sensitive analysis of cost parameters reveals the useful managerial insight. All comparative results show that HSDE is more stable and robust in handling this complex problem especially for the large-scale problem.

Estimation of Warehouse Throughput in Freight Transport Demand Model for the Netherlands

This paper presents an extension of the classical four-step freight modeling framework with a logistics chain model. Modeling logistics at the regional level establishes a link between trade flow and transport flow, allows the warehouse and distribution center locations and throughput volumes to be determined, and permits more detailed and accurate policy decision support systems. This paper describes a two-stage logistics model that estimates the volume of regional warehouse throughput. The first stage estimates interregional trade flows by means of a gravity model application and starts from regional production and consumption volumes. The second stage, the logistics chain model, splits the production–consumption flow between direct shipments and shipments that go through warehouse facilities. An aggregate multinomial logit discrete choice model is used to determine the flow volumes for each of the possible logistics chains. Consistency is achieved between the gravity and logistics chain models by a joint estimation of unknown parameters. A new data set from a transport flow survey produced by Statistics Netherlands is used; the data set includes information on the types of loading and unloading location. This data set enables model calibration with respect to regional warehouse throughput. The proposed logistics chain model produces accurate estimates of regional warehouse throughput and plausible parameter values. The paper presents the specification of the new model, the data set used, and the results of the estimation.

U.S. Postal Airmail Routing Optimization

An airmail routing problem at the United States Postal Service (USPS) is studied in this paper. Each day, millions of airmails of different priorities are collected and shipped between local USPS mail processing and distribution centers (P&DCs) by commercial air carriers. The carriers provide flight capacities and services according to contracts. Each available flight has a finite, maximum capacity for the airmails. In addition, the shipping between P&DCs incurs a cost that is determined by the type of mail, the volume, and the shipping distance. The research objective is to decide airmail allocation onto flights subject to the agreed-on air capacity to minimize system shipping costs while maintaining service quality. An integrated mathematical model is developed to design air routes and to allocate airmails optimally to routes for an improvement on the practice of isolated scheduling at each P&DC. A column generation method is proposed for the model. A numerical test is conducted with operational data. The test not only shows a significant increase in the total volume that can be shipped but also indicates better service in terms of on-time and early deliveries.

A location-inventory model for distribution centers in a three-level supply chain under uncertainty

Article history: Received 26 August 2012 Received in revised format 14 September 2012 Accepted October 25 2012 Available online 28 October 2012 We study a location-inventory problem in a three level supply chain network under uncertainty, which leads to risk. The (r,Q) inventory control policy is applied for this problem. Besides, uncertainty exists in different parameters such as procurement, transportation costs, supply, demand and the capacity of different facilities (due to disaster, man-made events and etc). We present a robust optimization model, which concurrently specifies: locations of distribution centers to be opened, inventory control parameters (r,Q), and allocation of supply chain components. The model is formulated as a multi-objective mixed-integer nonlinear programming in order to minimize the expected total cost of such a supply chain network comprising location, procurement, transportation, holding, ordering, and shortage costs. Moreover, we develop an effective solution approach on the basis of multi-objective particle swarm optimization for solving the proposed model. Eventually, computational results of different examples of the problem and sensitivity analysis are exhibited to show the model and algorithm's feasibility and efficiency. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Location Optimization of Multidistribution Centers Based on Low-Carbon Constraints

Location optimization of distribution centers is a systematic and important task in logistics operations. Recently, reducing carbon footprint is becoming one of the decision-making factors in selecting the locations for distribution centers. This paper analyzes the necessity of industrial carbon dioxide emission cost internalization in four aspects and builds a model for multidistribution centers location in effort of reducing carbon footprint that can provide optimized strategy support for decision makers and logistic operators. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the models.