Space Utilization Research Articles

An Algorithm for Consolidating Small Shipments to Reduce Costs in International Logistics for E-commerce Businesses

Purpose: This article presents an algorithm designed to optimize the consolidation of small shipments, aiming to reduce costs and improve efficiency in international logistics for e-commerce businesses. The research focuses on the highly trafficked route between China and the USA, particularly the corridor from Shenzhen to Los Angeles. Methodology: By employing a cluster-based optimization model, the algorithm consolidates goods from multiple e-commerce companies into single containers, maximizing space utilization and minimizing transportation costs. Findings: Experimental data reveals a 40% reduction in costs and a 10-day decrease in delivery times compared to traditional methods. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The algorithm has the potential as a scalable solution for global supply chain logistics.

Machine Learning-Based Optimization Models for Defining Storage Rules in Maritime Container Yards

This paper proposes an integrated approach to define the best consignment strategy for storing containers in an export yard of a maritime terminal. The storage strategy identifies the rules for grouping homogeneous containers, which are defined simultaneously with the assignment of each group of containers to the available blocks (bay-locations) in the yard. Unlike recent literature, this study focuses specifically on weight classes and their respective limits when establishing the consignment strategy. Another novel aspect of this work is the integration of a data-driven algorithm and operations research. The integrated approach is based on unsupervised learning and optimization models and allows us to solve large instances within a few seconds. Results obtained by spectral clustering are treated as input datasets for the optimization models. Two different formulations are described and compared: the main difference lies in how containers are assigned to bay-locations, shifting from a time-consuming individual container assignment to the assignment of groups of containers, which offers significant advantages in computational efficiency. Experimental tests are organized into three campaigns to evaluate the following: (i) The computational time and solution quality (i.e., space utilization) of the proposed models; (ii) The performance of these models against a benchmark model; (iii) The practical effectiveness of the proposed solution approach.

Revolutionizing Supply Chain : The Synergy of Warehouse Management and Data Analytics

This article examines the transformative impact of integrating data analytics with warehouse management in modern supply chains. It explores how this synergy is revolutionizing inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer service across industries. The article discusses key elements of effective warehouse management, including optimal space utilization, efficient inventory control, and timely order processing. It then delves into how data analytics elevates these functions through inventory optimization, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics. Case studies from e-commerce and manufacturing sectors illustrate real-world applications and benefits. Finally, the competitive advantages gained through enhanced operational efficiency, cost reduction, and improved service levels are analyzed, highlighting the critical role of this integration in shaping the future of supply chain management.

Adhesive solid-state fermentation producing Aspergillus niger conidia on stainless-steel dixon ring supports.

An adhesive solid-state fermentation (adSSF) mode was developed to produce Aspergillus niger conidia, which used a stainless-steel Dixon ring as the support and water-retaining adhesive to load nutritional media on its surface. To obtain high conidia yields, the components of the water-retaining adhesive were screened, optimized by single-factor optimization and response surface methodology, and the optimal dosages of the main components were: wheat bran powder 0.023g·cm-3bed, cassava starch 0.0022g·cm-3bed, and xanthan gum 0.0083g·cm-3bed. The experimentally tested conidia yield was 4.2-fold that without water-retaining adhesive but was 3.7% lower than the maximum yield predicted by the model. The observed double-side growth of A. niger on the Dixon ring supports improved space utilization of the fermentation bed, and the void fraction can increase with the shrinkage of the gel layer. In 1.6L tray reactors with three-point online temperature monitoring, the inner-bed temperature of adSSF was at most 4°C lower than the adsorbed carrier solid-state fermentation (ACSSF) mode, and the conidia yield was 1.68 × 108 conidia.cm-3bed, 61.5% higher than that of the ACSSF bed at the same time, but when the fermentation time was extended to 168h, the conidia yield of the adSSF bed and ACSSF bed were close to each other. The results revealed that the high voidage of the adSSF bed was the main reason for low bed temperature, which can benefit the inner-bed natural convection and water evaporation.

Spatial Assets Value Extraction and Integrated Utilization of Old Communities: Case of Central Guangzhou, China

Extracting the economic value by the integrated utilization of space in old communities is crucial for encouraging independent participation from enterprises and residents, reducing reliance on government leadership and fiscal investment. This study starts from the active perspective of spatial assets and constructs a value activation framework for old communities by balancing “endogenous demand” and “exogenous opportunities”. By enhancing the “economic value” through the “use value”, five methods for value extraction and overall project utilization paths are proposed, guided by a dynamic “cost-revenue” balance. Using multi-source data, we identify the spatial assets of 1096 old communities in central Guangzhou and apply a market comparison method for an economic value assessment. Additionally, this study offers recommendations on the timing and project portfolios for regeneration efforts, along with strategies for establishing a coordinating implementation entity and fund account. This research provides strategic insights for advancing the regeneration of old communities by tapping into their macro-level economic potential.

Communication behavior and space utilization of office workers in a research facility's activity‐based workplace

AbstractThis study explores the pre‐ and post‐renovation differences in communication behaviors of office workers at a construction company's research facility that had carried out renovations to promote open innovation through internal and external interactions. We conducted an analysis by combining both objective survey of conversation time, conversation partners, and stay location information using sensing terminals and subjective evaluations by office workers using a questionnaire survey. As the work style transitioned from fixed seats pre‐renovation to activity‐based working post‐renovation, the attendance rate analysis around each worker's personal workspace throughout the measurement period decreased from 74% to 60%, and the tendency to use various places in the office increased. Additionally, the number of conversation partners increased by 1.9 times on average and inter‐department conversation rate increased from 46% to 53% when activity‐based working was performed post‐renovation. However, while the introduction of activity‐based working significantly increased the level of communication satisfaction among workers in other departments, it tended to decrease the level of communication satisfaction within a department. This study maintains that organizational and operational efforts must sustain and promote intra‐departmental communication when activity‐based working is introduced and confirms that the introduction of activity‐based working was effective in promoting interaction between office workers.

Closed-loop AI-aided image-based GNC for autonomous inspection of uncooperative space objects

Autonomy is increasingly crucial in space missions due to several factors driving the exploration and utilization of space. In the meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence methods begin to play a crucial role in addressing the challenges associated with and enhancing autonomy in space missions. The proposed work develops a closed-loop simulator for proximity operations scenarios, particularly for the inspection of an unknown and uncooperative target object, with a fully AI-based image processing and GNC chain. This tool is based on four main blocks: image generation, image processing, navigation filter, and guidance and control blocks. All of them have been separately tested and tuned to ensure the correct interface and compatibility in the close-loop architecture. Afterwards, the overall architecture is deployed in an extensive Montecarlo testing campaign to verify and validate the performance of the proposed IP-GNC loop.

The Influence of Curatorial Art on Visual Art

As time progressed and societal structures underwent transformation, there was a notable increase in interest in the memories encapsulated by objects. This resulted in a significant increase in the development and popularity of museums and art exhibitions, which in turn gave rise to a multitude of innovative spatial art forms, and the term “curation” was born. This research program examines the impact of the curatorial space on the visual presentation of artworks and its role in the visual arts as a whole. This is achieved using an analysis of several specific cases. Moreover, it demonstrates the evolution and advancement of the utilisation of curatorial space for the presentation of artworks. The concept of curatorial space is both flexible and complex, with implications for both the visual arts and their presentation. The utilisation of new media and technology in curatorial environments has been demonstrated to offer several advantages over physical curation. These include enhanced accessibility, flexibility, and the capacity to reach a broader audience. Consequently, curators and artists are presented with the chance to interact with audiences and cultivate innovative artistic practices and prospects in the domain of digital media and technology.

A hybrid triboelectric-piezoelectric-electromagnetic generator with the high output performance for vibration energy harvesting of high-speed railway vehicles

With the rapid development of intelligent high-speed train, people's travel becomes more convenient, time-saving and comfortable. However, the increase in the number of equipped electronic facilities also brings more power consumption. While the ultra-high voltage drive power system cannot directly drive its numerous devices and the vibrational energy of high-speed trains is completely abandoned. Herein, a hybrid triboelectric-piezoelectric-electromagnetic generator (HTG) is proposed to drive the signal and sensing devices of high-speed train by in-situ harvesting the corresponding vibration energy. Compared with commercial polyformaldehyde film, the output power of triboelectric nanogenerator with the polyformaldehyde nanofiber film prepared by electrospinning technology is improved by 130 times. Furthermore, thanks to the high space utilization and output performance, the HTG has achieved a power-density of the order of kW/m3, which is an improvement of 1–3 orders of magnitude compared to previous research work on vibration energy collection. Importantly, the self-powered wireless motion monitoring system based on HTG can realize real-time monitoring and transmission of motion information such as speed, frequency and displacement. This finding not only gives an important way to efficiently harvest vibration energy, but also provides new ideas for the design of more economical, comfortable and intelligent high-speed trains.

A stochastic analysis of the dynamic space utilization in warehouses

Improving the volume space utilization of modern warehouses is a critical objective in warehouse layout design, making the accurate estimation of space utilization across different layouts essential. However, the dynamic demand and replenishment processes of heterogeneous stock keeping units (SKUs) in modern warehouses present significant challenges in accurately assessing space utilization. Traditional models have relied on deterministic frameworks that assume constant demand and production processes, which do not fully capture the heterogeneity and stochasticity in demand arrivals, sizes, and replenishment times encountered in practical scenarios. This study aims to develop a framework for computing volume space utilization in modern block stacking warehouses, incorporating both heterogeneity and stochasticity. We investigate two models in warehouse scenarios: the lost sale model, where excess demand is lost, and the backorder model, where unmet demand is backlogged. For each model, we derive the closed-form expressions of three key types of space wastes that characterize the space utilization of warehouses: honeycombing, aisle, and top-of-lane space wastes, using a continuous-time Markov chain analytical framework. Utilizing these expressions, we analyze the tradeoffs among these wastes and identify the optimal lane depth that maximizes space utilization. Our case studies show that, in a stochastic environment, the proposed computational framework allows for a more accurate estimation of space utilization, and the application of the obtained optimal lane depth can achieve significantly higher space utilization than deterministic methods found in the literature. This underscores the importance of incorporating stochasticity and heterogeneity of demand and replenishment in layout design. Additionally, by investigating the sensitivity of space utilization to varying demand processes and replenishment strategies, we provide managerial insights for adapting warehouse layout designs in response to changes in SKUs' demand and replenishment patterns.

Innovative housing models to support shared use of space: the case study of Sonnwendviertel Ost in Vienna

Amidst the persistent urban expansion in European cities, the need for high-quality housing for growing populations remains a challenge. Integrating newly developed housing areas into the urban fabric and fostering a distinct local identity pose additional challenges. Despite extensive research in this realm, there exists a gap in the examination of the extent of shared space utilization in new housing developments. This study fills that gap by analyzing the quantity, quality, and diversity of space utilization in new housing projects, focusing on the development processes and maintenance methods. The research, conducted through site and case study analyses of Sonnwendviertel Ost development area in Vienna, underscores that the shared utilization of spaces is closely tied to distinct housing models with varied levels of financing and involvement of diverse actors. Consequently, it provides insights into the housing models and their configurations that best facilitate the development of shared use of spaces in housing construction. This, in turn, is perceived as instrumental in cultivating a more robust neighborhood identity and enhancing the livability of communities, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.

Monitoring and maintaining quality in the paediatric haemodialysis unit.

Chronic kidney disease in children is being increasingly recognised and reported worldwide, and the focus of paediatric dialysis planning has changed from acute care alone to encompass chronic care. In many parts of the world, haemodialysis for children is performed in adult units and is based on standards established for adults. This review proposes standards for paediatric haemodialysis, incorporating special requirements for children while simultaneously drawing from the adult experience. We discuss the optimum requirements, including space utilisation, equipment needed, water treatment facilities, disposables, safety standards, staffing needs, monitoring and maintenance, infection prevention, waste disposal and quality indicators. We also review recent advancements in the field that should be incorporated into future dialysis units and the steps required for achieving carbon neutrality and protecting the environment.

A Study on Guesthouse Interior Space Planning Method Based on BIM Topological Relationships

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has revolutionized the architectural and construction industries by providing detailed digital representations of buildings, enhancing design efficiency and project management. Despite its widespread application, the utilization of BIM in optimizing interior space planning, particularly in boutique accommodations like guesthouses, remains underexplored. This research addresses the gap by introducing a novel method for interior environment space planning of guesthouses based on the topological relationships derived from BIM data. This study developed a new algorithm that utilizes detailed topology information from BIM in order to make space planning decisions more efficiently, thereby improving space utilization efficiency and guest experience. Through a comprehensive analysis of BIM topological relationships and the application of advanced optimization techniques, our method aims to optimize the use of space while considering the unique constraints and requirements of guesthouse environments. The proposed algorithm demonstrates significant improvements in spatial efficiency and design quality when tested against traditional planning methods on real-world BIM datasets. This research not only contributes a novel approach to the field of architectural design and planning but also offers practical implications for the enhancement of interior spaces in guesthouses, potentially influencing future applications of BIM technology in the hospitality industry.

Unraveling urban informality: the dynamics of value and space appropriation at pedestrian bridges in Islamabad, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This research explores the dynamics of urban informality and space appropriation at pedestrian bridges in Islamabad, Pakistan, offering new insights into how informal practices reshape the utilization and value of urban spaces. By focusing on both formal and informal uses, the study reveals a significant gap between the intended and actual uses of these bridges. Through observation and analysis of three key bridges, the study examines how informal activities – such as vending, resting, and social interactions – transform pedestrian bridges into multifunctional spaces. This research also uncovers informal modifications and analyzes the role of urban governance in shaping these practices. The findings contribute novel insights into urban informality in the Global South by focusing on Islamabad’s pedestrian bridges, an area that has received limited scholarly attention. The study is particularly valuable for urban planners and policymakers in guiding the design of more inclusive urban environments in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Visitors’ Behaviors and Perceptions of Spatial Factors of Uncultivated Internet-Famous Sites in Urban Riverfront Public Spaces: Case Study in Changsha, China

This article takes representative uncultivated riverfront internet-famous sites (uncultivated RIFSs) in Changsha city, China, as an example to explore the internal mechanism of their formation and finds that they are closely related to the “urban subculture” and the “informality of urban public space”. In terms of methodology, through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, this study investigates the behavioral characteristics of onsite visitors, the overall perceptions and satisfaction of public spaces, and the perceptions of spatial and humanistic elements of visitors. The main findings are as follows: ① Onsite visitors are mainly male, with local tourists and nearby residents accounting for over 80%. Furthermore, over half of the visitors have limited understanding of the uncultivated RIFSs. ② People’s overall attitudes towards the uncultivated RIFSs are positive. And the ability to carry out meaningful activities and find comfort and safety are of the greatest concern to onsite tourists. ③ Among the visiting reasons, leisure stays accounted for the highest proportion, followed by sightseeing, sports stays and social stays. ④ The onsite visitors’ main focus of spatial elements and humanistic elements is different according to the different sites. However, visitors’ dissatisfaction is mainly reflected in poor site safety and sanitation conditions, inadequate facilities and poor surrounding environments. This paper also compares the online–offline differences in the spatial perceptions of the uncultivated RIFSs between this study and previous research; instead of focusing on the urban physical spaces, online social media users pay more attention to their self-presentation. Meanwhile, the visitors place greater emphasis on the functionality, practicality and experiential activities of the urban physical spaces. Finally, this article proposes optimization strategies for uncultivated RIFSs from planning and governance and public space design aspects to protect and strengthen the composite utilization of space, therefore enhancing diverse vitality.

Comparative Analysis of Space Efficiency in Skyscrapers with Prismatic, Tapered, and Free Forms

This study offers a thorough comparative analysis of space efficiency in skyscrapers across three distinct forms: prismatic, tapered, and free. By examining case studies from each form category, this research investigates how architectural and structural design features impact space utilization in supertall towers. The findings reveal form-based differences in space efficiency and design element usage. In prismatic skyscrapers, which are primarily residential and utilize concrete outrigger frames, the average space efficiency was around 72%, with the core occupying 24% of the gross floor area (GFA). Tapered skyscrapers, commonly mixed-use with composite outrigger frames, showed an average space efficiency of over 70%, with a core-to-GFA ratio of 26%. Freeform towers, often mixed-use and using composite outrigger frames, demonstrated a space efficiency of 71%, with an average core-to-GFA ratio of 26%. Despite these variations, a consistent trend emerged: as the height of a building increases, there is a general decline in space efficiency, highlighting the challenges in optimizing space in taller structures. This analysis adds to the understanding of skyscraper design and space utilization, providing important insights for architects and urban planners aiming to improve the efficiency of future high-rise developments.

Urban Open Space Utilization for Subsistence Agriculture: A Study of Esikhaleni Township

This research investigates the motivations driving the utilization of urban open spaces for subsistence agriculture and assesses its impact on the livelihoods of residents in Esikhaleni Township. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study conducts structured interviews with local farmers and in-depth interviews with municipal officials from the uMhlathuze Municipality. The findings highlight food insecurity, the necessity for accessible fresh produce, agricultural passion, and rising food costs as primary drivers compelling Esikhaleni residents towards open space farming. Moreover, the research underscores the significant contribution of open space agriculture to the livelihoods of Esikhaleni residents, including improved access to fresh food, reduced food expenditures, and supplementary income generation through produce sales. The study concludes by recommending the integration of urban agriculture into urban planning efforts to safeguard land for agricultural purposes, thereby enabling residents of Esikhaleni Township to engage in sustainable agricultural practices.

Design and analysis of folding mechanism for automotive seats based on space maximization

To solve the problem of maximizing space utilization of car folding seats within limited spatial constraints, a design method for space-maximizing four-bar folding seat hinges is proposed. First, we will investigate the existing types of car folding seats, identify the mainstream configurations, and determine the optimal position of the four-bar linkage hinge point based on the constraints present within the car using theoretical analysis methods. Secondly, kinematic and dynamic models of the four-bar linkage mechanism are established, followed by the formulation of kinematic and dynamic equations. Finally, numerical methods are employed to solve these equations and obtain the kinematic and dynamic characteristics. The results indicate that the design method proposed in the article, which aims to maximize the space of the hinge four-bar folding seat, is efficient and feasible. This approach optimizes the utilization of interior space and enhances passenger comfort while accommodating the folding function of the seat within the existing vehicle environment. This method holds significant engineering implications for the design of folding seats in similar types of vehicles.

Approaches for the On-Line Three-Dimensional Knapsack Problem with Buffering and Repacking

The rapid growth of the e-commerce sector, particularly in Latin America, has highlighted the need for more efficient automated packing and distribution systems. This study presents heuristic algorithms to solve the online three-dimensional knapsack problem (OSKP), incorporating buffering and repacking strategies to optimize space utilization in automated packing environments. These strategies enable the system to handle the stochastic nature of item arrivals and improve container utilization by temporarily storing boxes (buffering) and rearranging already packed boxes (repacking) to enhance packing efficiency. Computational experiments conducted on specialized datasets from the existing literature demonstrate that the proposed heuristics perform comparably to state-of-the-art methodologies. Moreover, physical experiments were conducted on a robotic packing cell to determine the time that buffering and repacking implicate. The contributions of this paper lie in the integration of buffering and repacking into the OSKP, the development of tailored heuristics, and the validation of these heuristics in both simulated and real-world environments. The findings indicate that including buffering and repacking strategies significantly improves space utilization in automated packing systems. However, they significantly increase the time spent packing.

Self-service check-in kiosks in airport terminal planning: Static analysis on the airport check-in space

Self-service check-in kiosks are increasingly recognized as a cost-effective solution for expanding check-in capacity without the need for terminal building expansion. These kiosks serve as essential airport infrastructure, providing time savings for passengers, cost reductions for airlines, and optimized space utilization for airports. This study aims to investigate whether the claimed 49 percent reduction in required check-in space with the adoption of self-service check-in kiosks is valid and examines how various factors influence this space saving. A small sized airport with an average annual traffic of 1 million passengers and 500 Typical Peak Hour Passenger (TPHP) serves as the case study. Through static analysis, the study assesses the impact of failure rates associated with self-service check-in kiosks on overall space savings. The findings indicate that failure rates significantly diminish space savings, underscoring the importance of technology reliability in maximizing efficiency. Additionally, space savings are influenced by passenger demand, passenger profiles, processing times, queuing/waiting times and space per passenger. These results suggest that while self-service check-in kiosks can enhance operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction, their effectiveness is contingent upon managing technology reliability and understanding diverse passenger needs. Overall, this study highlights the potential of self-service check-in kiosk in improving airport operations while providing valuable insights for future implementations.