Proper Splitting Theater Distribution Model for Improving Force Flow Analysis

摘要

United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) force flow analysts perform the daunting task of determining feasibility of vehicle mixtures that will support theater distribution. Analysts conduct sensitivity analysis on the vehicle mixture solution to determine proper feasibility. Their current tool, the Improved Theater Distribution Model (ITDM) uses a multimodal, mixed set of vehicles to model the pickup and delivery of a set of requirements within a given time window. Although, the model is a sufficient tool, it may provide incorrect feasible solutions, which in turn may lead to an improper vehicle mixture for a set of given requirements. Improving upon the ITDM, a Properly Splitting Theater Distribution Model (PSTDM) was created. The PSTDM, like the ITDM, is a mixed integer programming model that allocates specific vehicle types to deliver requirements in a way that minimizes cost and late deliveries. The PSTDM improves upon the ITDM solutions by taking into account and identifying oversized/outsized equipment, preventing improper splitting of requirements and matching vehicles capabilities within requirement demands. The new set of solutions provides analysts the necessary insight on vehicle combinations that provide proper feasible pickup and deliveries.