Optimisation of a crossdocking distribution centre simulation model

Adewunmi, Adrian; Aickelin, Uwe

Abstract

This paper reports on continuing research into the
modelling of an order picking process within a
Crossdocking distribution centre using Simulation
Optimisation. The aim of this project is to optimise a
discrete event simulation model and to understand factors
that affect finding its optimal performance. Our initial
investigation revealed that the precision of the selected
simulation output performance measure and the number of
replications required for the evaluation of the optimisation
objective function through simulation influences the ability
of the optimisation technique. We experimented with
Common Random Numbers, in order to improve the precision of our simulation output performance measure, and intended to use the number of replications utilised for this purpose as the initial number of replications for the optimisation of our Crossdocking distribution centre simulation model. Our results demonstrate that we can improve the precision of our selected simulation output performance measure value using Common Random Numbers at various levels of replications. Furthermore, after optimising our Crossdocking distribution centre simulation model, we are able to achieve optimal performance using fewer simulations runs for the simulation model which uses Common Random Numbers as compared to the simulation model which does not use Common Random Numbers.

Citation

Adewunmi, A., & Aickelin, U. Optimisation of a crossdocking distribution centre simulation model. In Proceedings of the 2008 International Simulation Multi-conference. The Society For Modeling and Simulation International (SCS)

• Conference Name: Proceedings of the 2008 International Simulation Multi-Conference, The Society For Modeling and Simulation International (SCS), San Diego, USA
• Deposit Date: Feb 18, 2009
• Journal: Proceedings of the 2008 International Simulation Multi-Conference, The Society For Modeling and Simulation International (SCS), San Diego, USA
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Book Title: Proceedings of the 2008 International Simulation Multi-conference
• Keywords: Crossdocking, Simulation Optimisation, Common Random Numbers
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1015400
• Publisher URL: http://www.scs.org/confernc/summersim/summersim08/summersim08.htm
• Additional Information: Paper originally presented at: Summer Computer Simulation Conference (SCSC'08), part of the International Simulation Multi-conference (ISMc'08), held in Edinburgh, 16-19 June 2008.