Academic articles

E-Commerce Research Paper: Dynamic Forecast Demand Analysis to Design a Parcel Locker Delivery Network in Spain


The research paper on e-commerce addresses urban logistics issues worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scholars used system dynamics simulation modeling with the ε-constraint method to design a parcel locker delivery network and forecast demand. The model suggested the lockers’ locations for improved delivery results and helped to develop a strategy for minimizing environmental impact.

Simulating Prosumer Data Trading: Testing a Blockchain Smart Contract Based Control


A novel data trading approach was presented in this paper – one where trading was controlled by seller preferences. The approach followed the principles of seller’s rights protection and control over the data sharing available in a community of users. A hybrid approach was shown to combine market and technology simulations and enable system developers to test robust future scenarios.

A Simulation-Optimization Model for Automated Parcel Lockers Network Design in Urban Scenarios in Pamplona (Spain), Zakopane, and Krakow (Poland)


The constant rise of e-commerce coupled with extremely fast deliveries is a significant contributor to saturate city centers’ mobility. To address this issue, the development of a convenient Automated Parcel Lockers (APLs) network improves last-mile distribution by reducing the number of transportation vehicles, the distances driven, and the delivery stops. An agent-based model was implemented in the current paper to forecast parcel demand placed on APLs based on socio-economic factors.

Applying Simulation to Estimate Waiting Times and Optimize the Booking Size for Oversea Transportation Vessels


This study investigates a different source of uncertainty, which is the waiting time for the next vessel that is scheduled on a specific route, connecting two international ports. The aim of this research was to determine the booking size for vessels in oversea delivery to minimize transportation costs. The simulation model and all the respective processes included in the oversea supply chain were developed in AnyLogic with a discrete-event paradigm.

Application of Hybrid Simulation Modelling for the Implementation of Job Rotation in a Feedmill


This paper promotes a unique system dynamics-discrete event simulation hybrid modelling framework. The way the hybrid model is developed is intended to simplify the modelling process and make the framework flexible to a variety of situations. In the current study, the framework is used to investigate the success possibility of introducing within-shift job rotation in the plant and its optimal frequency. The intention is to reduce worker exhaustion and by so doing increase productivity and manufacturing throughput.

Modeling and Simulation of Port-Of-Entry Systems


This paper describes a suite of simulation models for Port-of-Entry systems, dubbed POESS (POE Simulation System). Port-of-Entry Simulation System was developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for use primarily by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. Port-of-Entry Simulation System aims to assist CBP in Port-of-Entry design and operational decision making. A Port-of-Entry Simulation System simulation model of the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) POE, located at El Paso, Texas, is described as an example.

A Simulation-Based Approach for an Effective AMHS Design in a Legacy Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility


This paper addresses the design of an Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) for wafer lots in the photolithography workshop of a 200mm wafer manufacturing facility (fab) that was not initially built to have such a system. Lots transportation has to be performed using an Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) system that was already chosen to transport reticles in the workshop. The main objective is to propose a decision support tool to characterize the Automated Material Handling System elements including lot handling, transportation as well as the storage space design. A simulation-based approach is proposed to evaluate different scenarios and propose an effective Automated Material Handling System design. Experimental results based on real instances confirm the capability of the proposed Automated Material Handling System design to support the workshop activity.

Simulation of The Order Process in Maritime Hinterland Transportation: The Impact of Order Release Times


The integration of information systems between the various actors organizing and executing the transport of containers to seaports is slowly progressing. Transport orders are frequently characterized by high change rates causing high manual revision effort for dispatchers. Therefore, these order changes, often received shortly before the day of departure, raise the question regarding the immediate transmission of transport orders to the subsequent actors in the transport chain. This paper analyzes the impact of different order release times, which define the timing of order transmission, on order process efficiency (processing times and costs) using a multi-method simulation approach. In a case study, four actors, two focusing on transport planning and two on operative transport execution, are considered. The simulation experiments with varying order release times and change rates reveal: A late release of orders from planning to operative actors and a reduction of order changes can significantly increase order process efficiency.