Next Article in Journal
Numerical Simulation of the Cleaning Performance of a Venturi Scrubber
Next Article in Special Issue
Multi-Energy Concern as an Example of the Implementation of Agenda 2030: Poland as a Case Study
Previous Article in Journal
State of Charge Dual Estimation of a Li-ion Battery Based on Variable Forgetting Factor Recursive Least Square and Multi-Innovation Unscented Kalman Filter Algorithm
Previous Article in Special Issue
Sustainable Rural Electrification Project Management: An Analysis of Three Case Studies
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Optimizing Multi Cross-Docking Systems with a Multi-Objective Green Location Routing Problem Considering Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption

by
Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene
1,*,
Nihal Sütütemiz
2,
Figen Yıldırım
3,
Shahryar Ghorbani
4 and
Renata Činčikaitė
1
1
Department of Business Technologies and Entrepreneurship, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
2
Department of Management Information Systems, University of Sakarya, Sakarya 54050, Turkey
3
Department of International Trade, Istanbul Commerce University, Istambul 34445, Turkey
4
Department of Production Management, University of Sakarya, Sakarya 54050, Turkey
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Energies 2022, 15(4), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041530
Submission received: 21 December 2021 / Revised: 15 February 2022 / Accepted: 16 February 2022 / Published: 18 February 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Research Trends of Energy Business and Management)

Abstract

:
Cross-docking is an excellent way to reduce the space required to store goods, inventory management costs, and customer order delivery time. This paper focuses on cost optimization, scheduling incoming and outgoing trucks, and green supply chains with multiple cross-docking. The three objectives are minimizing total operating costs, truck transportation sequences, and carbon emissions within the supply chain. Since the linear programming model is an integer of zero and one and belongs to NP-hard problems, its solution time increases sharply with increasing dimensions. Therefore, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) and the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) were used to find near-optimal solutions to the problem. Then, these algorithms were compared with criteria such as execution time and distance from the ideal point, and the superior algorithm in each criterion was identified.

1. Introduction

Logistics strategy is an essential advantage for supply chain management operations that requires centralized planning and adjustment of procedures to reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction [1,2]. Classic supply chain management for transporting goods from suppliers to the distribution centre requires warehousing for storage [3] and then packaging and shipping to customers [4], according to their demand [5]. This form of supply chain management has high inventory maintenance costs and human resources costs [6,7]. In other words, there are four stages of receiving, storage, order selection, and sending in traditional warehouses [8]. Still, in the cross-dock, the storage stage, one of the main obstacles of inventory systems, is removed [9,10]. Therefore, it reduces inventory and increases customer satisfaction [11]. Cross-dock is a logistic method that distributes products directly from a supplier or factory [12]. The cross-dock method ensures timely transportation and better coordination between supply and demand [13]. In recent years, one of the issues facing the supply chain was clean production and environmental protection [5]. One of the critical issues of clean output is using supply chains that pay attention to environmental issues in all supply chain processes [14,15].
In this research, we investigate the operational cross-docking decisions that concern the optimization of short-term decisions such as CO2 emission and energy consumption that are directly related to the transit of products from inbound trucks to outbound trucks. We focus on the optimization of the truck to door assignment problem, which is one of the key issues in cross-docking. It attempts to find the optimal assignment for each incoming inbound or outbound truck to the appropriate inbound or outbound dock according to the cross-dock characteristics. When the problem of truck-to-door assigning is mentioned, two different questions should be answered: at which door and in which order the trucks should be docked. The first question was answered by many researchers, but the second question receives less attention and this research tries to investigate the answer to this question. The cross-docking system targets to reduce the cost of inventory holding and minimize the delivery time from suppliers to retailers in the supply chain. However, this paper addresses the cross-dock selection and optimization problem, which was first considered with the vehicle routing problem (VRP) by Maknoon and Laporte (2017), to make optimal decisions on route construction and freight consolidation cross-docks. In other words, selecting cross-docks as freight consolidation points leads to gaining economies of scale. The products are processed and transported to the customers by at least one cross-dock in the CDS problem. It has a vast application in production and retail companies and logistic service providers that handle various shipments on large networks.
Dondo and Cerda (2014) took a different approach to applying the time window so that a variable was used to determine the time window interval [16]. If there is a time window, this variable will be greater than zero for error; otherwise, it will be zero [13]. Mohtashami et al. (2015), in a study to provide and optimize a multi-objective mathematical model in the cross-dock and the entire supply chain, assumed that the supplier can also send the product directly to the customer and send it to the cross-dock [15]. On the other hand, multiple objectives, such as minimizing the total transport time of trucks, total cost, number of shipments, and model solving with NSGA-II and MOPSO with unsuccessful sorting and comparing the results of the above two algorithms, were included in their research. Mohtashami (2015) presented a new dynamic genetic algorithm based on the vehicle scheduling method in the cross-dock system to reduce the operation time. This algorithm assumed the existence of a temporary warehouse for receiving and sending goods, frequent entry and exit of trucks, and two types of chromosomes determined for incoming and outgoing trucks, providing a shorter solution for the operating time [17]. Ponboon et al., 2016, evaluated the cost structure and the impact of parameters on location issues and time windows in the distribution network. Nine scenarios of the Osaka distribution network of freight cargo with different warehouse locations were tested with two criteria, warehouse size and vehicle size. Therefore, using a large warehouse with a large vehicle will reduce costs. Warehouse features, vehicles, and shipping information were also discussed in detail [18]. Gomes et al. (2018) conducted bibliometric research in warehouse management systems from 2006 to 2016 [19].
Birim (2016) investigated the vehicle routing problem with cross-dock, considering heterogeneous vehicles with variable capacity and seeking to minimize the objective function of the total cost of transportation. The problem was solved with a simulated annealing algorithm, and the best answer is compared [20]. Yin and Chuang (2016) emphasized that we must focus on the green supply chain for sustainable development in the supply chain and pay attention to the friendly environment and business values. This paper deals with the minimum cost of green vehicle routing in transporting final products from suppliers to customers through a cross-dock with limited carbon dioxide emissions. Load management for long distances with the lowest cost and carbon dioxide emissions determine high fuel efficiency with the tabu search algorithm [21]. Wisittipanich and Hengmeechai (2017) said that one of the fundamental operational management problems is scheduling trucks in assigning them to cross-dock doors and arranging all domestic and foreign trucks for loading and unloading. This paper presents a mathematical model of integer hybrid programming for allocating and setting trucks in a multi-door cross-docking system. The purpose of this model is to minimize the total operation time. Then, a modified particle swarm algorithm is proposed and optimized with special unique designs, coding, and decoding to solve the problem of truck scheduling in a cross-docking system [16]. Zulaga et al. (2017) showed that this type of dock has results such as reducing cost time and improving management information in reverse processes. Sensitivity analysis of this model helps companies enhance their competitive position by providing flexibility concerning products, reducing the likelihood of product returns from the secondary market, and combining product returns and cross-dock costs relative to traditional warehousing [14]. Mohtashami and Najafabadi (2014) examined the reduction of operating time in the entire supply chain in their article. In the proposed model, the incoming trucks move directly towards the customers or the cross-dock in the first stage after loading the products from the suppliers. The products are unloaded in the cross-dock and loaded in the output trucks in the second stage. Then, the products are transferred to the customers [22].
Table 1 summarize the literature regarding optimizing multi cross-docking systems (MCDS) and compare the existing problems with the problem proposed in this paper.
Since cross-docks and related transportations have significant roles in increasing the efficiency of large-scale supply chain distribution networks, considering the other real-world essential factors such as reliability and pollution is attractive in designing or redesigning this network. Reliability maximization leads to customer satisfaction and earning a lot of market shares, whereas pollution minimization creates eco-friendly industries.
The research conducted was generally related to cross-dock and focused on optimizing the timing of trucks and the cost of transportation inside the dock. In this research, by considering several cross-docks and concentrating on green management with a norm time window approach for customers, issues related to out-of-cross-dock and the entire supply chain operations are also addressed. This study focuses on optimizing the cost of transporting trucks by locating the cross-dock, the sequence of transporting trucks, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the environment simultaneously throughout the supply chain. In summary, the contributions of this research are described as follows.
  • Developing a novel mathematical model to integrate CDS results in a comprehensive problem with a great application in industries;
  • Making the problem closer to the real-world conditions by considering the effects of GHG emission in the transportation process and calculating energy consumption dependent on traffic time;
  • Investigating the total cost minimization related to transportation, minimizing truck transportation sequences and carbon emissions through cross-docking simultaneously;
  • Designing high-quality algorithms, including NSGA-II and MOPSO, efficiently to solve the large-sized problem.

2. Problem Statements

In this paper, three objective functions, including minimizing the total cost of operation, truck transport sequence, and carbon dioxide emissions, are examined. The proposed model also examines the relationship between (cross-dock–suppliers), (cross-dock–customers), (suppliers–customers), (suppliers–suppliers), (customers–customers), and (cross-dock–cross-dock) in terms of fuzzy scheduling with a norm time window approach for truck transport and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The assumptions of the model are:
  • All incoming and outgoing trucks are available in zero time;
  • Homogeneous vehicles with different capacities;
  • Considering the period of customer service of norm type (having the earliest service start time and the latest service start time);
  • Existence of several cross-docks so that suppliers choose one of the docks to send the goods considering the minimum cost;
  • Ability to connect suppliers, docks, and customers with each other;
  • The type and number of products supplied by suppliers, as well as the type and number of customer demand, are clear and constant;
  • In the transport sequence, a truck can load products from more than one supplier and unload products from more than one customer;
  • One or more suppliers may meet a customer’s requirements;
  • The type and quantity of products transported by incoming trucks must be equal to the demands of customers.
To better understand and explain the research problem, the flow of operations in the supply chain is drawn in Figure 1. This figure considers several cross-dock distribution and transportation operation flows and several customers and suppliers. Vehicles with different capacities are also used to transport products in the supply chain.
After loading the products from the suppliers, the incoming trucks move directly to the customers, move to another supplier, move to one of the cross-docks, and unload the products in the cross-dock. They are then loaded onto output trucks and delivered to customers [36]. It should also be noted that a truck can load products from more than one supplier, and a truck can move to more than one customer and unload products between them. Three trucks with different capacities are used to transport the products.

2.1. Mathematical Model

The main variables and important parameters in the model and algorithms are presented in Table 2:
The first objective function minimizes the total cost of operations within the supply chain (including transportation, fuel, delay, shortage, holding, and opening costs). The second objective function minimizes the truck transport sequence between suppliers, cross-docks, and customers, and the third objective function minimizes CO2 emissions from trucks throughout the system.
Min   Z 1 = [ i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G ( C scdG i + C sGcd i )     X scdG i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G C scG i X scG i + i k i n = 1 K s = 1 S i G G C s m s n G i   X s m s n G i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G ( C cdsG i   X cdsG i + i G = 1 G i c = 1 C i k i n K C c m c n G i   X c m c n G i + j k o u t = 1 K i cd = 1 Z i c = 1 C i G = 1 G ( C cdcG j   X cdcG j j K i n = 1   i K i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G C cd m cd n G i   X cd m cd n G i + j K o u t = 1   i K c = 1 C i G = 1 G C c m c n G j   X c m c n G j + j K o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G c ccdG j X CCdG j + j K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i s = 1 S i G = 1 G c csG i X CsG i + ( i cd = 1 Z O i y i + i s = 1 S i I = 1 I i G = 1 G F i X scdG i ) + [ i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G P E k i n γ i + θ i X scG i ] + [ j K o u t = 1 K i I = 1 I i c = 1 C i G = 1 G P E k O U T γ i + θ i X cdcG j ]
Min   Z 2 =   F = i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i cd Z i k in = 1 K j k out K i G = 1 G X scG i + X scdG i + X s m s n G i + X csG i + X cdsG i + X cdcG j + X c m c n G j + X ccdG j
Min   Z 3 = [ [ i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i k i n = 1 K C k i n g scd i d scd X scd i ) + ( i s = 1 S i s = 1 S i G = 1 G i ϵ k i n K C k i n / Q k i n f scdG W G d SCdG X scdG i ) + ( i k i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i ϵ c = 1 C C k i n g sc i d sc X sc i ) + ( i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G i ϵ k i n K C k i n / Q k i n f scG W G d SCG X scG i ) + ( i k i n = 1 K i s = 1 S C k i n g s m s n i d s m s n X s m s n i ) + ( i k i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i G = 1 G C k i n / Q k i n f s m s n G W G d s m s n G X s m s n G i ) + ( i k i n = 1 K i cd = 1 Z C k i n g cd m cd n i d cd m cd n X cd m cd n i )   + ( i k i n = 1 K i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G C k i n / Q k i n f cd m cd n G W G d cd m cd n G ) X cd m cd n G i + ( i cd = 1 Z i c = 1 C i k o u t = 1 K C k o u t g cdc j d cdc X cdc j ) + ( i cd = 1 Z i c = 1 C i G = 1 G i ϵ k o u t K C k o u t / Q k o u t f cdcG W G d CdcG X cdcG j ) + ( i k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C C k o u t g c m c n j d c m c n X c m c n j ) + ( i k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i G = 1 G C k o u t / Q k O U T f c m c n G W G d c m c n G X c m c n G j ) ] ] S . t :
i k i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i s = 1 S i G = 1 G q Gs   X scG i =   D cG  
i cd = 1 Z j k o u t = 1 K   i C = 1 C i G = 1 G q Gcd X cdcG j + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G q Gs X scG i = P Gs
i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X scG i 1
X cds ا G i = i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S   i G = 1 G x s m s n G i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X scdG i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X scG i
X s m s n G i = i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i G = 1 G x s n s m G i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S   i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X s n cdG i + i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X scG i
X cdcG j = j k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X c m c n G j + i k o u t K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X ccdG   j
X c m c n G i = i K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X c n c m G i + i K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i = G = 1 G X ccdG i  
X c m c n G j = j k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X c n c m G j + j k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X ccdG j + j k o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X cd m cd n G j
X scG i = i K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i G = 1 G X c m c n G i + i K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X ccdG i
i K i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G G q Gs   X scdG i = i K i n = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G q Gcd X cdcG j
i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X scdG i   q Gs   Q i
i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X cdcG j   q Gcd   Q j
i s = 1 S i C = 1 C i G = 1 G ( A scG i + T scG i + UL scG i + w i ) X scG i A csG i
i cd = 1 Z i C = 1 C i G = 1 G ( A cdcG j + T cdcG j + UL cdcG j + w i ) X cdcG j A csG i
j K o u t = 1 K i c = 1 C i cd = 1 Z i G = 1 G X cdcG j + X CCdG j 1 + F cdc
i k i n = 1 K i s = 1 S i cd = 1 Z i G G X scdG i y i  
γ i E i A scG i
θ i A scG i L i
X cdsG i ,   X s m s n G i ,   X scdG i ,   X scG i ,   X c m c n G i ,   X cdcG j ,   X c m c n G j ,   X ccdG i ,   X ccdG j , X cd m cd n G j , y i   0 ,   1 ,  
X cds i ,   X s m s n i ,   X scd i ,   X sc i ,   X c m c n i ,   X cdc j ,   X c m c n j ,   X ccd i ,   X ccd j , X cd m cd n j , F cdc   { 0 ,   1 }
I = 1 , 2 , 3 , , I , c = 1 , 2 , 3 , , C , G = 1 , 2 , 3 , , G j = 1 ,   2 ,   3 ,   ,   J
All   variables     0 ,     i , s , c   a n d   h

2.2. Description of Objective Functions and Constraints

The first objective function minimizes the cost of transporting vehicles throughout the system. The second objective function minimizes the transport sequence of trucks throughout the system. The objective is utilized to sequence inbound and outbound trucks to minimize the makespan. The third objective function minimizes the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from vehicles throughout the system. Each route between origin and destination has two sections. In the first part, the truck is unloaded, and in the second part, the truck is loaded.
Constraint (1) ensures that the total number of units of type G order product loaded from the supplier (s) in the truck (i) is precisely equal to the number of units of type (h) order product that the customer (c) needs. Constraint (2) ensures that the total number of order types (h) that are loaded from the supplier (s) in the entry truck (i) and move to the customer (c), as well as the total number of order types (h) that are loaded from the cross-docks (cd) in the output truck (j), are loaded and transferred toward the customer (c) and are exactly equal to the sum of the number of h-type order products which are produced by the supplier (s). Constraint (3) ensures that at least one of the incoming trucks (i) loads the supply (s) of type G product and transports all products to the customer (c) at once. Constraint (4) ensures that if the incoming truck (i) moves towards the supplier (s), it selects three modes to exit the supplier. The first case is that the truck moves towards another supplier, the second one moves towards one of the cross-docks (cd), and the last one moves towards the customer (c). Constraint (5) ensures that if the incoming truck (i) moves from the source supplier (Sm) to the destination supplier (Sn), it selects one of three modes to exit the supplier (Sn). The first case is that the truck is moving towards another supplier, the second one is moving towards one of the cross-docks (cd), and the third one is moving towards the customer (c). Constraint (6) ensures that if the outgoing truck (j) moves towards the customer (c), it selects one of two modes to exit the customer (c). The first case is that the truck moves towards another customer and the second moves towards one of the cross-docks (cd). Constraint (7) ensures that if the incoming truck (i) moves from the source customer (cm) to the destination customer (cn), it selects one of two modes to exit the destination customer (cn). The first case is that the truck moves towards another customer and the second moves towards one of the cross-docks (cd). Constraint (8) is similar to constraint (7), and the difference between these two constraints is that in constraint (8), the outgoing truck (j) is considered in the constraint, and the third case, the outgoing truck crosses from a cross-dock to another cross-dock. Constraint (9) ensures that if the incoming truck (i) moves from the supplier (s) to customer (c), it selects one of two modes to exit the customer (c). The first case is that the truck is moving towards another customer, and the second case is that the truck is moving towards the cross-dock (cd). Constraint (10) ensures that the number of units of product that the incoming truck (i) transports from the supplier (s) to one of the cross-docks (cd) and unloads at the cross-dock is precisely equal to the number of units of products in the outgoing truck (j) loaded for the customer (c). Constraints (11) and (12) relate to the capacity of incoming and outgoing trucks and ensure that trucks do not load products beyond their capacity. Constraint (13) ensures that the total time of arrival of the vehicle to the customer, the time elapsed between the manufacturer and the customer, the time of unloading the cargo at the customer’s place, and the waiting time of the vehicle should not exceed the specified time of departure for each customer. Constraint (14) guarantees that the total time of arrival of the vehicle to the customer, the time elapsed between the cross-dock and the customer, the time of unloading the cargo at the customer’s place, and the waiting time of the vehicle should not exceed the specified time of departure of the vehicle from the customer’s location. Constraint (15) ensures that a customer is assigned to a cross-dock if a truck connects the two. Constraint (16) ensures that inbound truck (i) from the supplier (i) only moves to a cross-dock. Constraints (17) and (18) are soft to calculate the number of early and late trucks to provide customer service in the norm time window.

3. Solution Methodology

In a small example, the designed mathematical model was first solved in GAMZ software by the є-constraint method [37]. Then, with the development of the example, due to the large volume of model variables over time, it was not possible to solve with GAMZ software. Therefore, it was solved using NSGA-II MOPSO meta-heuristic algorithms.

3.1. Genetic Algorithm

Charles Darwin’s theory, proposed in 1859, occupied a special place in optimization problems [38]. This theory is based on the best evolution, and it can be considered a starting point for evolutionary calculations. Genetic algorithms are random search algorithms whose idea is derived from nature. Genetic algorithms for classical optimization have successfully solved linear, convex, and similar problems, but genetic algorithms are much more efficient for solving discrete and nonlinear problems [39]. In nature, better generations emerge from a combination of better chromosomes. In the meantime, there are sometimes mutations in the chromosomes that may improve the next generation. Genetic algorithms also use this idea to solve problems [40]. Figure 2 show the schematic procedure of the NSGA-II algorithm, and then the details of the proposed genetic algorithm are described.

3.1.1. Chromosome Structure

Due to the complexity of the problem and the model, the chromosome consists of three components. These three components include the truck’s movement between the origins and destinations and the loading modes of various products. First, how to produce the problem chromosome is described, and then for each example of the problem, in three levels: small, medium, and large, according to the number of trucks, manufacturers, cross-docks, customers, determination and capacity of trucks, time loading, unloading and handling at the cross-dock, distances between origins and destinations, and customer demand, the amount of production of producers are produced as a function of uniform distribution.
Table 3 shows the truck movement modes between the sources. Trucks identify products and loading locations before starting from the cross-dock. In Table 3, for example, four primary sources are considered: two suppliers and two cross-docks. According to Table 3, if the truck moves to the supplier or the cross-dock, it is assigned the number one; otherwise, it is given the number zero. The second column of Table 3, which contains the numbers (0, 0, 0, 1), states that the truck moves only towards supplier 1 and loads the products of supplier 1. Briefly in the table below, S1: supplier 1, S2: supplier 2, CD1: cross-dock 1, and CD2: cross-dock 2.
Table 4 show the trucks’ destinations after passing through the sources. For example, in this table, four main destinations are considered, including two customers and two cross-docks, and trucks can transport different modes of products to their destinations. According to Table 4, if the truck moves to the customer or the intersection dock, it is assigned the number one; otherwise, it is given the number zero. The second column of Table 4, which contains the numbers (0, 0, 0, 1), states that the truck moves only to customer one and unloads the customer’s products. Briefly in Table 4, C1: customer 1 and: C2: customer 2 and CD1: cross-dock 1 and CD2: cross-dock 2.
For example, four different types of products are used. These four types of products are delivered to customers by production suppliers and trucks. Table 5 show the different modes of loading products from suppliers in trucks. A truck can load other methods of products in its truck. According to Table 5, if the truck loads one of the product ordering modes, it will be number one; otherwise, it will be zero. The second column of Table 5, which contains the numbers (0, 0, 0, 1), states that the truck only loads product A.

3.1.2. The Structure of the Cross Method

In the cross method, the production of new children is from the elite parents of the current generation. New children should inherit the main characteristics of parents and be more privileged than them. How children are produced depends on the structure of the chromosome. Using the tournament method as a selection mechanism, two chromosomes are selected as parents. The single-point cross is then performed separately for each part of the chromosome using row (horizontal) and columnar (vertical), randomly selected and described as follows. Table 6 show two samples of the parent chromosome to produce new offspring.
A—Array cross operator: In this case, we produce a random number in the range of the number of random devices. The generated random number indicates the array location of the cross in the parent chromosomes. Then, we replace the corresponding genes of the parents from the desired array, and new offspring are produced. For example, array 19 is selected at the cross of the array site 19 in the parent chromosomes, and then the corresponding genes of the parents are shifted from the array site 19 times in Table 7, and new offspring are produced.
B—Horizontal cross operator: In this case, we generate a random number in the range of the number of rows in the matrix at random. The generated random number indicates the location of the cross in the parent chromosomes. The selected line then replaces the corresponding genes of the parents, and new offspring are produced. For example, if the second row is selected, the junction of the second row is selected on the parent chromosomes, and then the corresponding parent genes are switched from the second row, as shown in Table 8, and new offspring are produced.
C—Vertical cross operator: In this case, we generate a random number in the range of matrix columns. The generated random number indicates the location of the cross in the parent chromosomes. The selected column then replaces the corresponding genes of the parents, and new offspring are produced. For example, the fourth column is selected, the intersection is performed from the location of the fourth column in the parent chromosomes, and then the corresponding parent genes are switched from the location of the fourth column according to Table 9, and new offspring are produced.

3.1.3. Structure of the Mutation Method

The mutation operator is mainly used to bring about transformation diversity and prevent divergence in the population. Due to the chromosome structure, the mutation operator, similar to the crossover operator, is performed as one of the array methods: row (horizontal) and columnar (vertical), which are randomly selected by the algorithm.
A—Array mutation operator: In this case, we produce a random number in the range of random arrays. The generated random number indicates the location of the mutation on the parent chromosome. Then, if the number in the array location is zero, it becomes one, and if it is one, it becomes zero. For example, array 19 is selected in parent one and the mutation is performed from array location 19 in the parent chromosomes. Then the corresponding parent gene from array location 19 is replaced by Table 10, and a new chromosome is produced.
B—Horizontal mutation operator: In this case, we generate a random number in the range of the number of rows in the matrix. The generated random number indicates the location of the mutation on the parent chromosome. The corresponding parent genes are then selected from the row location, which has values of zero and one, and we move the values of the two, and a new child is produced. For example, the second row is selected in the first parent and the mutation is performed from the second-row location in the parent chromosome. Then the corresponding parent genes are moved from the second-row location in Table 11, and a new chromosome is produced.
C—Vertical mutation operator: In this case, we generate a random number in the range of the number of columns in the matrix. The generated random number indicates the location of the mutation on the parent chromosome. The corresponding parent genes are then selected from the column location, which has values of zero and one, and we move the values of the two, and a new child is produced. For example, the seventh column is selected in the first parent and the mutation is performed from the seventh-column location in the parent chromosome. Then the corresponding parent genes are moved from the seventh-column location in Table 12, and a new chromosome is produced.

3.2. Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm—PSO

Kennedy and Eberhart (1995) presented the PSO algorithm in two papers for optimization problems whose continuous nature indicates the answers [41]. The population of answers is called a swarm. Each answer is like a bird in a group of birds and is called a particle. It is similar to the chromosome in the genetic algorithm. All particles have a fitness value calculated using the fitness function, and the particle fitness function must be optimized. The velocity vector of that particle determines the direction of motion of a particle. The PSO algorithm starts with random solutions (particles) and then seeks the optimal solution by synchronizing the particles in each iteration. If the decision variables, also their particles, are zero and one, each particle’s velocity and position vectors in each iteration of the algorithm are calculated according to Equations (26)–(29).
V it = w . V it 1 + c 1 . r 1 . pBest i x it + c 2 . r 2 . nBest i x it      
V max V it V max
s i = 1 / 1 + e V it
x it = 1   ρ s i 0   otherwise
According to the relation of 19, new velocity vectors of each particle based on the previous velocity of the particle itself ( V it 1 ), the best position the particle has ever reached ( pBest i ) and the position of the best particle in the neighborhood of the particles obtained so far ( nBest i ), are calculated. If the neighborhood of each particle contains all the particles in the group, then nBest i indicates the position of the best particle in the group, denoted by gBest . r 1 and r 2 are two random numbers with a uniform distribution between [0, 1] generated independently of each other. c 1 and c 2 are referred to as learning coefficients, they control the effect of   pBest and nBest during the search process. w represents the weight coefficient of inertia. The value limits the particle velocity vector   ( V max ) . V max   is a constraint that controls the global search capability of a particle group. Using the relation of 20 vectors, the velocity of each particle is converted to the change probability vector. In the above relation, s i indicates the probability that x it is equal to 1. Then, using the relation of 22 vectors, the position of each particle is updated. In the above relation, ρ is random with a uniform distribution between zero and one. The pseudo-code of group PSO is shown in Table 13.

3.3. Validation of the Designed Model

Although many articles studied the issue of truck scheduling and transportation time minimization at the intersection dock, the issue of cost minimization (transportation, loading, unloading, and relocation) throughout the supply chain, considering the relationships and assumptions, was not previously studied. This article represents a new beginning for future work in this field. Therefore, since it is impossible to compare the results with other existing articles, a numerical example is presented in the next section, and the answers to the problem are compared using genetic algorithms and particle swarm.

Method of Generating Random Problems

Sample production problems are randomly generated in small, medium, and large groups. From each dimension of 7 sample problems, 21 sample problems are described according to Table 14 of the production. Then, the computational results will be presented, and finally, by repeating the algorithm implementations and using the uniform distribution function, the problem parameters are generated, and new numbers are generated in each sample. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis of the results is analyzed using the number of trucks, and in the end, the two algorithms are compared using different performance criteria. The solution of the model was obtained using MATLAB (R2019a) software. The problem was that the trucks would move from suppliers to customers or cross-dock and unload the loaded products after loading the products. To better understand how the two algorithms work, the problem-solving details of Example 6 are shown in a small size, which is almost the most straightforward example problem.
Several parameter values are generated using the uniform distribution function in this problem. Parameters that are generated randomly include the capacity of the trucks, the amount of customer demand, the amount of production of the manufacturers, the number of products, the fuel consumption rate, and the distance traveled by the trucks between the origins and the destinations. Sample parameter values are created and given in the relevant tables for each problem. Table 15 list the minimum and maximum values that the parameters can be assigned.
Two meta-heuristic algorithms for solving multi-objective problems, including the NSGA-II faulty sorting genetic algorithm and the MOPSO multi-objective particle swarm algorithm, were used to solve the proposed model. The Taguchi method was used to adjust the parameters of the algorithms. The advantage of the Taguchi method over other experimental design methods is that in addition to cost, obtaining optimal levels of parameters can be achieved in less time. One of the most important steps in this method is to select an orthogonal array that estimates the effects of factors on the mean response and variation. In this paper, the most suitable three-level test design is identified, and according to the Taguchi standard orthogonal arrays, the L9 array is selected as the appropriate test design to parameterize the proposed algorithms. A statistical measure of performance is considered the S / N   s i g n a l   t o   n o i s e ratio to adjust the optimal parameters, which includes the average and changes. This ratio is desirable. The considered response variable is the average of the four standard indices MID (mean ideal distance), MD (maximum spread or diversity), spacing, and NPS (number of pareto solution) for multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithms. Since this response variable is less, its corresponding S / N ratio is considered as Equation (30). The proposed meta-heuristic algorithms were implemented for each Taguchi experiment, and then the S / N ratios were calculated using Minitab 18 software. The optimal values of the parameters of each algorithm are shown in Table 16.
S / N R a t i o = 10 log ( s u m y 2 n )

4. Results

Sample problem 6 was solved at the small size level with the fixed parameters listed in Table 4 and the random parameters listed in Table 6 with the four algorithms NSGA-II and MOPSO. Based on this, the sequence of truck transportation operations in sample case 6, for all four algorithms, is presented as the output analysis of the variables according to the following tables. Table 17 show the transport sequences of the first truck in sample problem 6 by solving the NSGA-II algorithm, and Table 18 show the transport sequences of the first truck in sample problem 6 using the MOPSO solution method.

4.1. Comparison of NSGA-II and MOPSO Algorithms

Table 19 and Table 20 show the values related to the criteria of several answers, time to solve problems, distance from the ideal point, distance, and maximum coverage to compare NSGA-II and MOPSO algorithms.
Execution time—One of the crucial criteria for measuring the performance quality of an algorithm is its execution time, which in some articles is also referred to as execution speed. This criterion becomes essential when the dimensions and complexity of the problem increase. The execution time of these four methods in the three levels of small, medium, and large sample problems are given in Table 19 and Table 20 and Figure 3. In general, the NSGA-II algorithm is more acceptable in terms of average runtime at both medium and large sample problem levels.

4.1.1. Distance from the Ideal Point

The MID index is used to calculate the mean distance of Pareto solutions from the origin’s so-called ideal point. Considering the MID, it is clear that the lower the value of this index, the higher the efficiency of this algorithm. The ideal point distance criterion, which measures the optimal close Pareto proximity measure, was calculated for 21 sample problems for the NSGA-II and MOPSO algorithms. In these 21 problems, the average values of the NSGA-II algorithm in small and medium problems were less than for the MOPSO algorithm. The DM index shows the variety of Pareto solutions. The higher the DM value is, the better the algorithm performs.

4.1.2. Spacing

The spacing criterion for each sample problem was calculated for the NSGA-II MOPSO algorithms, and the comparison of the mean of these two values for the sample problems was performed at three levels to determine the most desirable algorithm. The spacing criterion in the MOPSO algorithm was smaller than the NSGA-II algorithm and had better performance.

4.1.3. The Most Expansion

The maximum expansion criterion for the 21 sample problems was calculated for the NSGA-II and MOPSO algorithms. The criterion measures the maximum expansion density of Pareto archive solutions, and a simple method was used to calculate it, i.e., without considering the intermediate solutions, only the boundary solutions were used to plot the extent of Pareto archive solutions. In this criterion, the average of the calculations shows that the NSGA-II algorithm offers more comprehensive answers than the MOPSO algorithm.

5. Conclusions and Suggestions

The problem studied in this article was used to provide a model for the optimal sequence of trucks and the cost of operations within the supply chain concerning three objectives (minimizing the cost of transportation, minimizing the sequence of transporting trucks, and minimizing carbon dioxide emissions) [42,43,44,45]. The mathematical model approach is complicated due to the high number of variables and limitations related to the number of trucks sending and receiving and the number of products required to solve the problem. When increasing these variables, the dimensions of the problem and the solution time increase exponentially [46,47]. Therefore, two meta-heuristic algorithms NSGA-II and MOPSO, were used to solve the model. The results of the calculations were compared using four criteria. On average, the NSGA-II algorithm is more acceptable in runtime for 21 sample problems at the three small, medium, and large levels. In terms of distance from the ideal point, the NSGA-II algorithm is better. In the spacing criterion, which measures the density of Pareto archive solutions, the MOPSO algorithm scores better than the NSGA-II algorithm. The NSGA-II algorithm offers broader answers than the MOPSO algorithm at the maximum expansion criterion. Because research in this area is in its infancy, there is much opportunity for future research. Several areas in which research can be expanded are listed below.
Generalization of the proposed mathematical model for modelling in the presence of cross-dock systems with many entrances and exit doors.
It was assumed that temporary storage has unlimited capacity, while temporary storage is usually limited in practice. This real-world assumption can be added to the model.
Generalization of the proposed mathematical model by considering the multi-period mode.
Generalization of the proposed mathematical model of the problem by considering uncertain parameters (for example, considering fuzzy demand for customers) given the complex nature of docking systems.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, I.M.-K. and N.S.; methodology, S.G. and N.S.; software, F.Y.; validation, I.M.-K.; formal analysis, S.G. and F.Y.; investigation, I.M.-K. and R.Č.; resources, S.G. and R.Č.; writing—original draft preparation, S.G. and N.S.; writing—review and editing, I.M.-K.; visualization, S.G. and R.Č.; supervision, I.M.-K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data of this study are available from the authors upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Rijal, A.; Bijvank, M.; de Koster, R. Integrated scheduling and assignment of trucks at unit-load cross-dock terminals with mixed service mode dock doors. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 2019, 278, 752–771. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Serrano, C.; Delorme, X.; Dolgui, A. Scheduling of truck arrivals, truck departures and shop-floor operation in a cross-dock platform, based on trucks loading plans. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 2017, 194, 102–112. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Seyedi, I.; Hamedi, M.; Tavakkoli-Moghadaam, R. Developing a mathematical model for a multi-door cross-dock scheduling problem with human factors: A modified imperialist competitive algorithm. J. Ind. Eng. Manag. Stud. 2021, 8, 180–201. [Google Scholar]
  4. Motaghedi-Larijani, A.; Aminnayeri, M. Optimizing the admission time of outbound trucks entering a cross-dock with uniform arrival time by considering a queuing model. Eng. Optim. 2017, 49, 466–480. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Gelareh, S.; Glover, F.; Guemri, O.; Hanafi, S.; Nduwayo, P.; Todosijević, R. A comparative study of formulations for a cross-dock door assignment problem. Omega 2020, 91, 102015. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Xi, X.; Changchun, L.; Yuan, W.; Hay, L.L. Two-stage conflict robust optimization models for cross-dock truck scheduling problem under uncertainty. Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev. 2020, 144, 102123. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Sahebi, I.G.; Mosayebi, A.; Masoomi, B.; Marandi, F. Modeling the enablers for blockchain technology adoption in renewable energy supply chain. Technol. Soc. 2022, 101871. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Nassief, W. Cross-Dock Door Assignments: Models, Algorithms and Extensions. Ph.D. Thesis, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada, 2017. Available online: https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/id/eprint/982540/1/Nassief_PhD_S2017.pdf (accessed on 19 November 2021).
  9. Nasiri, M.M.; Rahbari, A.; Werner, F.; Karimi, R. Incorporating supplier selection and order allocation into the vehicle routing and multi-cross-dock scheduling problem. Int. J. Prod. Res. 2018, 56, 6527–6552. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Chargui, T.; Bekrar, A.; Reghioui, M.; Trentesaux, D. Simulation for Pi-hub cross-docking robustness. In Service Orientation in Holonic and Multi-Agent Manufacturing; Springer: Berlin, Germany, 2018; pp. 317–328. [Google Scholar]
  11. Tirkolaee, E.B.; Goli, A.; Faridnia, A.; Soltani, M.; Weber, G.-W. Multi-objective optimization for the reliable pollution-routing problem with cross-dock selection using Pareto-based algorithms. J. Clean. Prod. 2020, 276, 122927. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Wang, H.; Alidaee, B. The multi-floor cross-dock door assignment problem: Rising challenges for the new trend in logistics industry. Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev. 2019, 132, 30–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  13. Dondo, R.; Cerdá, J. The heterogeneous vehicle routing and truck scheduling problem in a multi-door cross-dock system. Comput. Chem. Eng. 2015, 76, 42–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Zuluaga, J.P.S.; Thiell, M.; Perales, R.C. Reverse cross-docking. Omega 2017, 66, 48–57. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Mohtashami, A.; Tavana, M.; Santos-Arteaga, F.J.; Fallahian-Najafabadi, A. A novel multi-objective meta-heuristic model for solving cross-docking scheduling problems. Appl. Soft Comput. 2015, 31, 30–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Wisittipanich, W.; Hengmeechai, P. Truck scheduling in multi-door cross docking terminal by modified particle swarm optimization. Comput. Ind. Eng. 2017, 113, 793–802. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Mohtashami, A. A novel dynamic genetic algorithm-based method for vehicle scheduling in cross docking systems with frequent unloading operation. Comput. Ind. Eng. 2015, 90, 221–240. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Ponboon, S.; Qureshi, A.G.; Taniguchi, E. Evaluation of cost structure and impact of parameters in location-routing problem with time windows. Transp. Res. Procedia 2016, 12, 213–226. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  19. Gomes, C.F.S.; Ribeiro, P.C.C.; de Matos Freire, K.A. Bibliometric research in Warehouse Management System from 2006 to 2016. In Proceedings of the World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics, Orlando, FL, USA, 8 July 2018; Volume 22, pp. 200–204. [Google Scholar]
  20. Birim, Ş. Vehicle routing problem with cross docking: A simulated annealing approach. Procedia Social Behav. Sci. 2016, 235, 149–158. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Yin, P.-Y.; Chuang, Y.-L. Adaptive memory artificial bee colony algorithm for green vehicle routing with cross-docking. Appl. Math. Model. 2016, 40, 9302–9315. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Mohtashami, A.; Fallahian-Najafabadi, A. Scheduling trucks transportation in supply chain regarding cross docking using meta-heuristic algorithms. Ind. Manag. Stud. 2014, 11, 55–84. [Google Scholar]
  23. Sung, C.S.; Song, S.H. Integrated service network design for a cross-docking supply chain network. J. Oper. Res. Soc. 2003, 54, 1283–1295. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Chen, P.; Guo, Y.; Lim, A.; Rodrigues, B. Multiple crossdocks with inventory and time windows. Comput. Oper. Res. 2006, 33, 43–63. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Sung, C.S.; Yang, W. An exact algorithm for a cross-docking supply chain network design problem. J. Oper. Res. Soc. 2008, 59, 119–136. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Wen, M.; Larsen, J.; Clausen, J.; Cordeau, J.-F.; Laporte, G. Vehicle routing with cross-docking. J. Oper. Res. Soc. 2009, 60, 1708–1718. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  27. Musa, R.; Arnaout, J.-P.; Jung, H. Ant colony optimization algorithm to solve for the transportation problem of cross-docking network. Comput. Ind. Eng. 2010, 59, 85–92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Dondo, R.; Méndez, C.A.; Cerdá, J. The multi-echelon vehicle routing problem with cross docking in supply chain management. Comput. Chem. Eng. 2011, 35, 3002–3024. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Santos, F.A.; Mateus, G.R.; Da Cunha, A.S. The pickup and delivery problem with cross-docking. Comput. Oper. Res. 2013, 40, 1085–1093. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  30. Morais, V.W.C.; Mateus, G.R.; Noronha, T.F. Iterated local search heuristics for the vehicle routing problem with cross-docking. Expert Syst. Appl. 2014, 41, 7495–7506. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Vincent, F.Y.; Jewpanya, P.; Redi, A.A.N.P. Open vehicle routing problem with cross-docking. Comput. Ind. Eng. 2016, 94, 6–17. [Google Scholar]
  32. Wang, J.; Jagannathan, A.K.R.; Zuo, X.; Murray, C.C. Two-layer simulated annealing and tabu search heuristics for a vehicle routing problem with cross docks and split deliveries. Comput. Ind. Eng. 2017, 112, 84–98. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Rahbari, A.; Nasiri, M.M.; Werner, F.; Musavi, M.; Jolai, F. The vehicle routing and scheduling problem with cross-docking for perishable products under uncertainty: Two robust bi-objective models. Appl. Math. Model. 2019, 70, 605–625. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Baniamerian, A.; Bashiri, M.; Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, R. Modified variable neighborhood search and genetic algorithm for profitable heterogeneous vehicle routing problem with cross-docking. Appl. Soft Comput. 2019, 75, 441–460. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Zhou, B.; Zong, S. Adaptive memory red deer algorithm for cross-dock truck scheduling with products time window. Eng. Comput. 2021, 38, 3254–3289. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  36. Liao, T.W. Integrated Outbound Vehicle Routing and Scheduling Problem at a Multi-Door Cross-Dock Terminal. IEEE Trans. Intell. Transp. Syst. 2020, 22, 5599–5612. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Safari, H.; Ajali, M.; Ghasemiyan Sahebi, I. Determining the strategic position of an educational institution in the organizational life cycle with fuzzy approach (Case Study: Social Sciences Faculty of Khalij Fars University). Mod. Res. Decis. Mak. 2016, 1, 117–138. [Google Scholar]
  38. Khalili-Damghani, K.; Tavana, M.; Santos-Arteaga, F.J.; Ghanbarzad-Dashti, M. A customized genetic algorithm for solving multi-period cross-dock truck scheduling problems. Measurement 2017, 108, 101–118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Corsten, H.; Becker, F.; Salewski, H. Integrating truck and workforce scheduling in a cross-dock: Analysis of different workforce coordination policies. J. Bus. Econ. 2020, 90, 207–237. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Maknoon, Y.; Laporte, G. Vehicle routing with cross-dock selection. Comput. Oper. Res. 2017, 77, 254–266. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  41. Eberhart, R.; Kennedy, J. A new optimizer using particle swarm theory. In Proceedings of the MHS’95. Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Micro Machine and Human Science, Nagoya, Japan, 4–6 October 1995; pp. 39–43. [Google Scholar]
  42. Sahebi, I.; Masoomi, B.; Ghorbani, S.; Uslu, T. Scenario-based designing of closed-loop supply chain with uncertainty in returned products. Decis. Sci. Lett. 2019, 8, 505–518. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Kusolpuchong, S.; Chusap, K.; Alhawari, O.; Suer, G. A Genetic Algorithm Approach for Multi Objective Cross Dock Scheduling in Supply Chains. Procedia Manuf. 2019, 39, 1139–1148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Arab, A.; Sahebi, I.G.; Modarresi, M.; Ajalli, M. A Grey DEMATEL approach for ranking the KSFs of environmental management system implementation (ISO 14001). Calitatea 2017, 18, 115. [Google Scholar]
  45. Arab, A.; Sahebi, I.G.; Alavi, S.A. Assessing the key success factors of knowledge management adoption in supply chain. Int. J. Acad. Res. Bus. Soc. Sci. 2017, 7, 2222–6990. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  46. Sayed, S.I.; Contreras, I.; Diaz, J.A.; Luna, D.E. Integrated cross-dock door assignment and truck scheduling with handling times. Top 2020, 28, 705–727. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Heidari, F.; Zegordi, S.H.; Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, R. Modeling truck scheduling problem at a cross-dock facility through a bi-objective bi-level optimization approach. J. Intell. Manuf. 2018, 29, 1155–1170. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Figure 1. Operation process in the cross-dock.
Figure 1. Operation process in the cross-dock.
Energies 15 01530 g001
Figure 2. A schematic procedure of the NSGA-II algorithm.
Figure 2. A schematic procedure of the NSGA-II algorithm.
Energies 15 01530 g002
Figure 3. Comparison between the average execution time of NSGA-II and MOPSO.
Figure 3. Comparison between the average execution time of NSGA-II and MOPSO.
Energies 15 01530 g003
Table 1. Summary of literature regarding MCDS and its different variants.
Table 1. Summary of literature regarding MCDS and its different variants.
ReferencesMultiple Cross-DocksType of VehicleTime WindowsCapacity in CrossdocksMultiple ObjectivesSolution Method
HomogeneousHeterogeneousLimitedUnlimitedExactHeuristicMetaheuristic
[23]* * * *
[24]** * **
[25]* * * *
[26] * * * *
[27]** * * *
[28]* ** * *
[29] * * *
[30] * ** *
[31] * * *
[32]* ** * *
[9]* *** * *
[33]* ** ***
[34] *** *
[11]** ** * *
[35] * ** * *
Current research* ** *** *
Table 2. Sets, parameters, and decision variables of the model.
Table 2. Sets, parameters, and decision variables of the model.
Sets
SSet of suppliers (1,…,S)
CSet of customers (1,…,C)
k i n Set of incoming trucks (Receiving) (1,…,K)
k o u t Set of outgoing trucks (Sending) (1,…,K’)
GSet of products type (order) (1,…,G)
CdSet of Cross-docks (1,…,Z)
Parameters
T Transportation time
A s c G i Time of entry or exit of incoming truck (i) from supplier (s), while loading the order of type (G) and moving towards the customer (c)
A c d c G j When the incoming truck (j) enters to the customer (c) from the cross-dock (cd) while loading the order of type (G)
T s c G i Transportation time of incoming truck (i) from supplier (s) to customer (c) while loading the order of type (G)
T c d c G j Transport time of outgoing truck (j) from cross-dock (cd) to customer (c), while loading the order of type (G)
U L s c G i Offloading time of each product type (G) from input truck (i) to customer (c)
U L s c G i Offloading time of each product type (G) from output truck (j) to customer (c)
D c G Customer order (c) of type (G) goods
P G s Production rate of product with type (G)
w G Weight of product with type (G)
d i Demand of customer (i)
e i , E i , L i , l i Time window interval of customer (i)
γ i = E i A s c G i Early arrival time of incoming or outgoing truck in the time window
θ i = A s c G i L i Incoming or outgoing truck late arrival time
P E k o u t Penalty for delay or early arrival of a vehicle exiting the cross-dock (i) for the customer (c)
P E k i n Penalty for delay or early arrival of the incoming vehicle from the supplier (i) to the customer (i)
w i Vehicle waiting time at the location of customer (c)
o i Cost of reopening the cross-dock (i)
Q i Capacity of incoming truck (i)
Q j Capacity of output truck (i)
d s c d Distance between supplier (s) and cross-dock (cd)
d s c Distance between supplier (s) and customer (c)
d c d c Distance between cross-dock (cd) and customer (c)
C k i n The fuel conversion rate of the unloaded incoming truck to carbon dioxide
C k i n / The difference between the conversion rate of the fuel of an incoming truck with a load of one unit of product or more with the same truck without a load of carbon dioxide
C k o u t / The difference between the conversion rate of the fuel of an outgoing truck with a load of one unit of product or more with the same truck without a load of carbon dioxide
C k o u t Conversion rate of unloaded truck fuel into CO2
g s c i Incoming truck fuel consumption rate for travel between supplier (s) and customer (c) without load
g s c d i The fuel consumption rate of incoming trucks for travel between supplier (s) and cross-dock (cd) without load
g s m s n i Incoming truck fuel consumption rate for travel between the source supplier (s) and the destination supplier without load
g c d m c d n i Incoming truck fuel consumption rate for travel between the cross-dock (cd) of origin and the cross-dock of destination without cargo
g c m c n j Outgoing truck fuel consumption rate for travel between origin and destination customer (c) without load
g c d c j Outgoing truck fuel consumption rate for travel between cross-dock (cd) and customer (c) without load
Q k i n The difference in the fuel consumption rate of an incoming truck traveling with one product or more with the same unladen truck
Q k o u t The difference in the fuel consumption rate of an outgoing truck traveling with one product or more with the same unladen truck
f s c d G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between supplier (s) and cross-dock (cd)
f s c G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between supplier (s) and the customer (c)
f c d c G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between cross-dock (cd) and customer (c)
f s m s n G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between source supplier and destination supplier
f c m c n G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between source customer and destination customer
f c d m c d n G The number of product types (G) the truck carries between source cross-dock and destination cross-dock
E Big number
Variables
q G s The number of product types (G) that are loaded from the supplier (s) into the input truck (i)
q G c d The number of product types (G) that are loaded from the cross-dock (cd) into the output truck (j)
q G c The number of product types (G) that are unloaded from the incoming truck (i) at the customer’s location
q G s n The   number   of   product   types   ( G )   that   are   unloaded   from   the   input   truck   ( i )   at   the   destination   supplier     s n
q G c d n The   number   of   product   types   ( G )   that   are   unloaded   from   the   output   truck   ( j )   at   the   destination   cd n
X c d s G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   c r o s s d o c k   cd   t o   s u p p l i e r   S   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t h e   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X s m s n G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s u p p l i e r   S m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   S u p p l i e r   S n   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t h e   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X s c d G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s u p p l i e r   S   t o   c r o s s d o c k   c d   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X s c G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s u p p l i e r   S   t o   c u s t o m e r   C   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t h e   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X c m c n G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   c u s t o m e r   C m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   c u s t o m e r   C n   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t h e   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X c d c G j 1 0 I f   o u t g o i n g   t r u c k   j   m o v e s   f r o m   c r o s s d o c k   c d   t o   c u s t o m e r   C   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t h e   o r d e r   o f   t y p e   G   o t h e r w i s e
X c c d G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   c u s t o m e r   C   t o   c r o s s d o c k   c d   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X c c d G j 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   j   m o v e s   f r o m   c u s t o m e r   C   t o   c r o s s d o c k   c d   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X c d m c d n G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s o u r c e   c r o s s d o c k   c d m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   c r o s s d o c k   c d n   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
F cdc 1 0 i f   c u s t o m e r   d e m a n d   i   i s   m e t   f r o m   c r o s s d o c k   i   o t h e r w i s e
y i 1 0 i f   c r o s s d o c k   i   i s   s e l e c t e d   o t h e r w i s e
P ij 1 0 i f   i n p u t   t r u c k   i   p r e c e d e s   t o   i n p u t   t r u c k   j   o t h e r w i s e
q g 1 g 2 1 0 i f   i n p u t   t r u c k   g 1   p r e c e d e s   t o   i n p u t   t r u c k   g 2 o t h e r w i s e
X s c d i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s u p p l i e r   S   t o   c r o s s d o c k   c d   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X s c i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s u p p l i e r   S   t o   c u s t o m e r   C   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X c d c j 1 0 I f   o u t g o i n g   t r u c k   j   m o v e s   f r o m   c r o s s d o c k   c d t o   c u s t o m e r   C   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X c m c n i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s o u r c e   c u s t o m e r   C m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   c u s t o m e r   C n   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X s m s n G i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s o u r c e   s u p p l i e r   S m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   S u p p l i e r   Sn   w h i l e   l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X s m s n i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s o u r c e   s u p p l i e r   Sm   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   S u p p l i e r   S n   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
X c d m c d n i 1 0 I f   i n c o m i n g   t r u c k   i   m o v e s   f r o m   s o u r c e   c r o s s d o c k   c d m   t o   d e s t i n a t i o n   c r o s s d o c k   c d n   w h i l e   o f f l o a d i n g   t y p e   G   o r d e r   o t h e r w i s e
Table 3. Truck motion matrix at the origins.
Table 3. Truck motion matrix at the origins.
SourceS1S2CD1CD2S1S2S1CD1S1CD2S2CD1S2CD2CD1CD2S1S2CD1S1S2CD2S1S2CD1CD2
CD11101101010111
S10000000111000
CD20010110100111
S20000011001111
Table 4. Truck movement matrix at destinations.
Table 4. Truck movement matrix at destinations.
DestinationC1C2CD1CD2C1C2C1CD1C1CD2C2CD1C2CD2C1C2CD1C1C2CD2C1C2CD1CD2
CD1110011101111
C1000000011000
CD2001011010111
C2000100100000
Table 5. Matrix of product ordering modes.
Table 5. Matrix of product ordering modes.
Ordering ModeABCDABACADBCBDCDABCABDACDBCDABCD
A100011100011101
B010010011011011
C001001010110111
D000100101101111
Table 6. Two hypothetical parent chromosomes.
Table 6. Two hypothetical parent chromosomes.
First Parent
1101101010111
0000000111000
0010110100111
0000011001111
Second Parent
0001000100111
0100000011000
1000110110101
0010111001111
Table 7. Children of the cross-array operator.
Table 7. Children of the cross-array operator.
The First Child
0001000110111
0100001111000
1000111000111
0010011001111
The Second Child
1101100100111
0000000011000
0010110110101
0000111001111
Table 8. Children of linear (horizontal) cross operator.
Table 8. Children of linear (horizontal) cross operator.
The First Child
0001000100111
0100000011000
0010110100111
0000011001111
The Second Child
1101101010111
0000000111000
1000110110101
0010111001111
Table 9. Children of the linear (vertical) cross operator.
Table 9. Children of the linear (vertical) cross operator.
The First Child
1101101010111
0000000111000
0010110100111
0000011001111
The Second Child
0001101010111
0000000111000
1000110100111
0010011001111
Table 10. New chromosome derived from the array mutation operator.
Table 10. New chromosome derived from the array mutation operator.
1101101010111
0000000111000
0010010100111
0000011001111
Table 11. New chromosome derived from the horizontal mutation operator.
Table 11. New chromosome derived from the horizontal mutation operator.
1101101010111
1111111000111
0010110100111
0000011001111
Table 12. New chromosome derived from the vertical mutation operator.
Table 12. New chromosome derived from the vertical mutation operator.
1101100010111
0000001111000
0010111100111
0000010001111
Table 13. PSO pseudo-code.
Table 13. PSO pseudo-code.
For each particle
Initialize particle
End For
Do
For each particle
Calculate fitness value of the particle fp
/*updating particle’s best fitness value so far)*/
If fp is better than pBest
set current value as the new pBest
End For
/*updating population’s best fitness value so far)*/
Set gBest to the best fitness value of all particles
For each particle
Calculate particle velocity according to equation
Update particle position according to equation
End For While maximum iterations OR minimum error criteria is not attained
Table 14. Fixed parameters of the problems.
Table 14. Fixed parameters of the problems.
ParametersProblem 1Problem 2Problem 3
123456712345671234567
Number of incoming trucks2443433342443312111314111211
Number of outgoing trucks2434432233232211121112111012
Number of suppliers434453210998781118171719181620
Number of cross- dock4337433899786612101112101014
Product types106810910111212141211131520161820202025
Number of customer5348433111210910111522202321201820
Table 15. Random parameters of the problem.
Table 15. Random parameters of the problem.
Customer demandU(0,30)U(0,30)U(0,30)
Product supply rateU(0,30)U(0,30)U(0,30)
Product weightU(0,10)U(0,10)U(0,10)
Incoming truck capacityU(0,10) × 1000U(0,10) × 1000U(0,10) × 1000
Outgoing trucks capacityU(0,10) × 1000U(0,10) × 1000U(0,10) × 1000
Origin between destination distanceU(1,100)U(1,100)U(1,100)
Number of product type GU(1,10)U(1,10)U(1,10)
Fuel consumption rateU(1,20)U(1,20)U(1,20)
Table 16. Optimal values of parameters in algorithms.
Table 16. Optimal values of parameters in algorithms.
AlgorithmParametersParameter DominAmounts
NSGA-IIIteration100–300300
Population size50–100100
Intersection rate0.6–0.80.8
Mutation rate0.1–0.20.2
MOPSOIteration100–300300
Population size50–100100
Cognitive constants, C11–33
Social constant, C21–22
Table 17. Truck transport sequence 1 with NSGA-II algorithm for sample problem 1.
Table 17. Truck transport sequence 1 with NSGA-II algorithm for sample problem 1.
OriginDestinationProduct TypeNumber of ProductsShipping Sequence
Supplier 1Cross-dock 1E71
Supplier 2Cross-dock 1F15
Supplier 3Cross-dock 3G62
Supplier 3Customer 1D14
Supplier 3Customer 2D14
Supplier 2Customer 3D13
Supplier 1Customer 3E17
Supplier 2Customer 1F83
Supplier 2Customer 2F16
Supplier 2Customer 3F18
Supplier 2Customer 2G7
Supplier 3Supplier 1E7
Supplier 2Supplier 1F15
Supplier 3Supplier 1F164
Cross-dock 3Cross-dock 1D145
Cross-dock 2Cross-dock 1F16
Customer 3Customer 1D14
Customer 3Customer 2E8
Customer 3Customer 2F18
Customer 3Customer 2G136
Cross-dock 1Customer 1B9
Cross-dock 1Customer 3D14
Cross-dock 1Customer 1G10
Cross-dock 1Customer 2G7
Cross-dock 2Customer 3C117
Cross-dock 3Customer 1E17
Table 18. Truck transport sequence 1 with MOPSO algorithm for sample problem 1 (small level).
Table 18. Truck transport sequence 1 with MOPSO algorithm for sample problem 1 (small level).
OriginDestinationProduct TypeNumber of ProductsShipping Sequence
Supplier 2Cross-dock 2D8
Supplier 2Cross-dock 2E8
Supplier 2Cross-dock 2H111
Supplier 2Customer 1D14
Supplier 2Customer 2D13
Supplier 2Customer 1E17
Supplier 2Customer 2E42
Supplier 2Customer 3E8
Supplier 1Customer 3D14
Supplier 2Supplier 1D8
Supplier 2Supplier 1H113
Cross-dock 2Cross-dock 1D124
Customer 3Customer 2E8
Customer 1Customer 2H45
Cross-dock 2Customer 3C17
Cross-dock 2Customer 1E17
Cross-dock 2Customer 2E4
Cross-dock 2Customer 3G7
Cross-dock 1Customer 3E176
Cross-dock 3Customer 2E8
Table 19. Criteria values of the NSGA-II algorithm.
Table 19. Criteria values of the NSGA-II algorithm.
ExampleSizeNSGA-II
NPSTime (S)MIDDMSpacing
1Small100878.221.0918509640.8515
2Small97526.191.060133510.9425
3Small100898.231.03615745.40.9863
4Small1001204.841.16095082.30.8294
5Small100911.261.05375281.40.9158
6Small99392.671.00773667.40.9317
7Small99711.971.109446161.0001
Mean99.28798.0541.07424691.40.9226
1Middle1002011.511.04669406.50.8803
2Middle1002213.241.049494150.9962
3Middle1003415.811.045311,7611.0038
4Middle1004313.861.04311,2911.0075
5Middle1004201.491.037112,5801.0718
6Middle1003919.351.039413,4490.9942
7Middle995077.081.055612,9970.963
Mean99.853593.191.04511,557.070.9881
1Large10019,202.231.062719,6541.1429
2Large9921,020.541.074821,0121.1436
3Large100210,695.141.045220,654.121.1259
4Large100230,458.871.087223,012.451.1248
5Large10026,748.651.092524,896.871.0258
6Large9925,874.961.074523,968.971.0387
7Large10027,987.561.099825,984.231.0587
Mean99.71422,715.281.076622,624.791.0941
Table 20. Criteria values of the MOPSO algorithm.
Table 20. Criteria values of the MOPSO algorithm.
ExampleSizeMOPSO
NPSTime (S)MIDDMSpacing
1Small100817.451.11662708.60.8495
2Small77473.641.12341365.30.803
3Small99831.91.05482972.30.9092
4Small941161.451.20432897.90.7604
5Small95853.091.09433108.50.8189
6Small98381.791.082924300.907
7Small95650.251.14922324.60.7806
Mean94738.511.11792453.880.8326
1Middle1002044.691.04686090.30.9312
2Middle922320.031.04557155.51.0476
3Middle1003451.651.054761410.8661
4Middle984364.471.0497536.41.0063
5Middle984113.731.04047265.80.9996
6Middle1003996.171.03648293.40.9286
7Middle965258.461.06256351.80.8655
Mean97.7143649.881.04796976.30.9493
1Large10019,795.711.0877103950.8874
2Large10022,101.361.068911,2560.8658
3Large10020,985.871.058910,365.850.8953
4Large10021,895.31.048912,365.350.9587
5Large9627,014.321.084512,985.360.8596
6Large10026,579.891.089512,645.840.9741
7Large9328,012.561.011413,586.960.8254
Mean98.4223,769.271.0611,942.910.8951
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, I.; Sütütemiz, N.; Yıldırım, F.; Ghorbani, S.; Činčikaitė, R. Optimizing Multi Cross-Docking Systems with a Multi-Objective Green Location Routing Problem Considering Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption. Energies 2022, 15, 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041530

AMA Style

Meidute-Kavaliauskiene I, Sütütemiz N, Yıldırım F, Ghorbani S, Činčikaitė R. Optimizing Multi Cross-Docking Systems with a Multi-Objective Green Location Routing Problem Considering Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption. Energies. 2022; 15(4):1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041530

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Ieva, Nihal Sütütemiz, Figen Yıldırım, Shahryar Ghorbani, and Renata Činčikaitė. 2022. "Optimizing Multi Cross-Docking Systems with a Multi-Objective Green Location Routing Problem Considering Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption" Energies 15, no. 4: 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041530

APA Style

Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, I., Sütütemiz, N., Yıldırım, F., Ghorbani, S., & Činčikaitė, R. (2022). Optimizing Multi Cross-Docking Systems with a Multi-Objective Green Location Routing Problem Considering Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption. Energies, 15(4), 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15041530

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop