An efficient hybrid meta-heuristic for a cross-docking system with temporary storage

摘要

Cross-docking is a distribution system where products arriving at the warehouse (distribution centre) are organised, loaded and shipped for delivery to customers without storage and picking. Arrival is performed by inbound trucks, having products verified and organised at the receiving docks according to their destinations and customer demand. These products are directly sent to shipping dock and loaded in outbound trucks which will make deliveries to customers. Thus, inventory costs and delivery times to customers are reduced. An important parameter for successful implementation of cross-docking is the efficiency related to the scheduling of inbound and outbound trucks, as well as the transfer of products. This research presents a hybrid genetic algorithm with tabu search to find good scheduling of trucks, reducing total operating time. A meta-heuristic was tested on instances and solutions reveal themselves as equal as or better than those of literature.