Simulation Optimization of the Crossdock Door Assignment Problem

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simulation optimization approach for the Crossdock Door Assignment Problem, combining simulation-based objective function derivation with Memetic algorithms to improve door assignment efficiency.

Contribution

It presents a novel application of simulation and Memetic algorithms to optimize door assignments in Crossdock centers, a new domain for these methods.

Findings

First application of Memetic algorithms to this problem domain

Simulation-based objective function enhances realism

Potential for improved door assignment efficiency

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to present the Crossdock Door Assignment Problem, which involves assigning destinations to outbound dock doors of Crossdock centres such that travel distance by material handling equipment is minimized. We propose a two fold solution; simulation and optimization of the simulation model simulation optimization. The novel aspect of our solution approach is that we intend to use simulation to derive a more realistic objective function and use Memetic algorithms to find an optimal solution. The main advantage of using Memetic algorithms is that it combines a local search with Genetic Algorithms. The Crossdock Door Assignment Problem is a new domain application to Memetic Algorithms and it is yet unknown how it will perform.