Scheduling operations at system choke points with sequence-dependent delays and processing times

► We blend optimization and simulation to analyze a system with convergent queues. ► A heuristic that considers the two-stage queueing structure improves performance. ► Efficiency is achieved while fostering equity. Transportation service facilities often form system choke points with service render...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transportation research. Part E, Logistics and transportation review Logistics and transportation review, 2011-09, Vol.47 (5), p.669-680
Main Authors: Douglas Smith, L., Nauss, Robert M., Mattfeld, Dirk Christian, Li, Jian, Ehmke, Jan F., Reindl, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chokes
Computer simulation
Delay
Heuristic
Heuristic Scheduling MIP Transportation service facilities Simulation
Job shops
Mathematical models
MIP
Optimization
Production scheduling
Queues
Queuing theory
Scheduling
Simulation
Studies
Transportation
Transportation problem (Operations research)
Transportation service facilities
Transportation services
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Summary:► We blend optimization and simulation to analyze a system with convergent queues. ► A heuristic that considers the two-stage queueing structure improves performance. ► Efficiency is achieved while fostering equity. Transportation service facilities often form system choke points with service rendered to entities from multiple queues that require staging for processing. With an MIP model that accommodates sequence-dependent setup times and processing times, we demonstrate how scheduling can be improved relative to simple rules that impose equity (such as FIFO) or efficiency (such as fastest processing time). Using an efficient heuristic scheduler for problems of this type, we then demonstrate, with simulation, the benefits that can occur from employing the refined scheduling procedure at a series of choke points in a transportation system subject to highly variable seasonal traffic.
ISSN:1366-5545
1878-5794
DOI:10.1016/j.tre.2011.02.005