Travel Time Estimation and Order Barching in a 2-Block Warehouse

28 Pages Posted: 21 Dec 2004

See all articles by Tho Le-Duc

Tho Le-Duc

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM); Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

M. B. M. de Koster

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management

Date Written: 19 2004, 11

Abstract

The order batching problem (OBP) is the problem of determining the number of orders to be picked together in one picking tour. Although various objectives may arise in practice, minimizing the average throughput time of a random order is a common concern. In this paper, we consider the OBP for a 2-block rectangular warehouse with the assumptions that orders arrive according to a Poisson process and the method used for routing the order-pickers is the well-known S-shape heuristic. We first elaborate on the first and second moment of the order-picker's travel time. Then we use these moments to estimate the average throughput time of a random order. This enables us to estimate the optimal picking batch size. Results from simulation show that the method provides a high accuracy level. Furthermore, the method is rather simple and can be easily applied in practice.

Keywords: keywords logistics, warehousing, order picking, order batching, batch service queue

JEL Classification: M, M11, R4, C61

Suggested Citation

Le-Duc, Tho and de Koster, M.B.M. René, Travel Time Estimation and Order Barching in a 2-Block Warehouse (19 2004, 11). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=636808

Tho Le-Duc (Contact Author)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
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Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM)

P.O. Box 1738
3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands

M.B.M. René De Koster

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) - Department of Technology and Operations Management ( email )

RSM Erasmus University
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3000 DR Rotterdam
Netherlands
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HOME PAGE: http://www.rsm.nl/rdekoster

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