Search Results (3)

This paper is mainly devoted to studying the deployment problem of a multi-static radar system (MSRS) within a non-connected deployment region using multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO). By modeling and reformulating the problem, it can be represented as a multi-objective mixed integer programming (MOMIP), which eliminates the need for additional constraints. To enhance the algorithm performance, integer variables and continuous ones are treated separately employing multiple velocity formulas. The velocity formulas for integer variables are modified using the sigmoid function and genetic operation, leading to the proposal of two MSRS deployment algorithms, namely MOPSO-Sigmoid and MOPSO-Gene. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms, they are compared with two existing MOPSO-based algorithms. The first algorithm is the MSRS deployment algorithm for the non-connected deployment region that addresses the additional constraint problem model. The second algorithm is based on an existing conventional MOPSO algorithm and addresses the equivalent MOMIP problem model. A numerical study demonstrates that MOPSO-Sigmoid and MOPSO-Gene exhibit promising efficiency and effectiveness. Full article

Operational efficiency is one of the key performance indicators of a port’s service level. In the process of making scheduling plans for container terminals, different types of equipment are usually scheduled separately. The interaction between quay cranes (QCs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is neglected, which results in low operational efficiency. This research explores the integrated scheduling problem of QCs and AGVs. Firstly, a multi-objective mixed integer programming model (MOMIP) is conducted, with the aim of minimizing the makespan of vessels and the unladen time of AGVs. Then, embedded with a new heuristic method, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is designed for the scheduling problem. The heuristic method includes two parts: a bay-based QC allocation strategy and a container-based QC-AGV scheduling strategy. Finally, in order to test the performance of the proposed algorithm, differently sized benchmark tests are performed, and the results are compared to the multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (MOPSO) and the weighted-sum method. The computational results indicate that the proposed algorithm can effectively solve the multi-objective integrated scheduling problem of QCs and AGVs. For large-scale problems, the NSGA-II algorithm has better performance and more obvious advantages compared to others. The proposed method has the capability of providing a theoretical reference for the QC and AGV scheduling of container terminals. Full article

In the context of supply chain sustainability, Physical Internet (PI or $\pi$ ) was presented as an innovative concept to create a global sustainable logistics system. One of the main components of the Physical Internet paradigm consists in encapsulating products in modular and standardized PI-containers able to move via PI-nodes (such as PI-hubs) using collaborative routing protocols. This study focuses on optimizing operations occurring in a Rail–Road PI-Hub cross-docking terminal. The problem consists of scheduling outbound trucks at the docks and the routing of PI-containers in the PI-sorter zone of the Rail–Road PI-Hub cross-docking terminal. The first objective is to minimize the energy consumption of the PI-conveyors used to transfer PI-containers from the train to the outbound trucks. The second objective is to minimize the cost of using outbound trucks for different destinations. The problem is formulated as a Multi-Objective Mixed-Integer Programming model (MO-MIP) and solved with CPLEX solver using Lexicographic Goal Programming. Then, two multi-objective hybrid meta-heuristics are proposed to enhance the computational time as CPLEX was time consuming, especially for large size instances: Multi-Objective Variable Neighborhood Search hybridized with Simulated Annealing (MO-VNSSA) and with a Tabu Search (MO-VNSTS). The two meta-heuristics are tested on 32 instances (27 small instances and 5 large instances). CPLEX found the optimal solutions for only 23 instances. Results show that the proposed MO-VNSSA and MO-VNSTS are able to find optimal and near optimal solutions within a reasonable computational time. The two meta-heuristics found optimal solutions for the first objective in all the instances. For the second objective, MO-VNSSA and MO-VNSTS found optimal solutions for 7 instances. In order to evaluate the results for the second objective, a one way analysis of variance ANOVA was performed. Full article