Optimization of Logistic Solutions for Incoming and Outgoing Trucks System Using a Simulated Cross-Docking Centre Environment.

This study describes, characterises and analyses the optimisation of truck entry and exit time windows, which includes a cross-docking centre planning strategy, using the simulation environment of the AnyLogic software environment. The article describes the use of software integers (IP*) and heuristics (IP1 and IP2) for the time windows of a cross-docking centre. Based on a mathematical model using an integer number program (IP*) and heuristics (IP1 and IP2), a scheduling problem is investigated. This program consists in minimizing the penalties for violation of the time windows for inbound and outbound trucks. It also enables to calculate the operation time of time windows on an ongoing basis. The cross-docking-center model is a layout, which includes logistic elements of technological processes, created using the AnyLogic software. It is found out by using order diagrams that after unloading arriving trucks, the goods are collected in four stages, the first two of which (queuing and waiting for collection) determine the loading rate of goods in the trucks departing from the cross-dock. After determining the main stages of order collecting using the cross-docking strategy, the dependences of the average time of unloading and loading goods are studied. The average unloading and loading time are found to be 30 and 25 minutes, respectively. Based on the time dependences, a diagram of the average time of a truck in the dock, being about an hour - an hour and a half, is created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]