AS/RS travel time with horizontal deployment in class-based storage areas: a new formula

Abstract

The enhancement of warehouse processes is pivotal in internal logistics activities and it is a lever of competitive advantage for companies that are operating in more turbulent business environment. Thus, this paper proposes a model for the accurate computation of travel time of automated warehouse systems under different configurations. The model is based on a simulation approach that is run with different levels of Input/Output (I/O) points, different shape factor values and rotational flows. The outcomes of the simulation are then analysed using regression analysis. The results obtained prove to be very accurate for a reliable calculation of travel times. Therefore, the proposed formula can be considered as an effective support for an accurate estimation of the travel time for a variety of automated warehouse configurations. The proposed work might be also supporting future studies focused on the warehouse design under different storage space shapes and operational conditions.