Scheduling of inbound and outbound trucks at cross-docks: Modeling and analysis

Abstract

A model is developed for both time and space scheduling of inbound and outbound trucks at a cross-dock facility under various objectives. Three different objectives in optimizing cross-dock operations are presented, and the justification for the use of these objectives is given. A linear mixed integer formulation of the problem is presented, and a restriction-approximation approach is developed and applied to determine the truck scheduling at a sample cross-dock facility. This paper also analyzes the behavior of each of the objectives and provides a comprehensive analysis of the results. Pareto and post-Pareto analyses of the multiobjective problem are presented.