Tour construction heuristics for an Order Sequencing Problem

Abstract

An order picking system that requires pickers to move in a clockwise direction around a picking line with fixed locations is considered. The problem is divided into three tiers. The tier in which orders must be sequenced is addressed. Eight tour construction heuristics are developed and implemented for an order picking system operating in unidirectional picking lines. Two classes of tour construction heuristics - the tour construction starting position (TCS) and the tour construction ending position (TCE) - are developed to sequence orders in a picking line. All algorithms are tested and compared using real life data sets. The best solution quality was obtained by a TCE heuristic with adaptations.