Humanitarian logistics in the post-disaster phase of an earthquake requires detailed planning about the relief distribution network including assigning available distribution centers (DCs) to the affected areas, distribution of the relief commodities demanded by the affected population, and efficient allocation of the available vehicle fleet for the distribution in a...
Critical Infrastructures (CIs) such as energy, water supply, telecommunications, and transportation are highly vulnerable to cascading failures due to their interdependent operations. A resilient network is crucial to withstand the impact of functionality loss in disruptive events. This research evaluates network expansion as a proactive resilience strategy in which new...
A blood supply chain (BSC) deals with the collection, processing, storing, and distribution of blood collected from donors and delivered to patients at demand points (DPs) through a network of several temporary mobile blood units (MBUs) and permanent local blood centers (LBCs). In general, the strategic and tactical design of...
In general, making optimal decisions is a never ending challenge that decision makers face. A comprehensive model that integrates decisions at all three levels of decision making (i.e., strategic, tactical, and operational) can help the decision maker to find solutions that best serve the organization's performance. However, as organizations expand...
In a relay network for full truckload (TL) transportation, facilities known as relay points (RPs) serve as exchange points where truck drivers can exchange trailers. This would help carriers to assign more regular tours to drivers when compared to the excessively long tours that exist in the traditional Point-to-Point (PtP)...
Facility location-allocation decisions and inventory stocking decisions are very important in spare parts logistics. Both sets of decisions affect total costs in the system and the service levels that can be achieved by establishing distances between customers and distribution centers (DCs) in facility location-allocation, and by determining the availability of...
Intermodal freight transportation uses at least two different transportation modes (e.g., truck, rail, ship, air) to move freight loads that are in the same transportation unit (e.g., a shipping container) from origin to destination without handling the goods themselves. The increasing shift to intermodal transportation and the growth of freight...
Truckload carriers operating under a Point-To-Point (PtP) dispatching method seek to minimize miles driven with empty loads. This results in driving tours keeping drivers away from their homes for weeks at a time causing high turnover rates industry wide. One proposed solution combines Relay Network dispatching with existing PtP. This...
On a paced mixed-model assembly line various product variants are assembled in the same sequence of serially arranged workstations that make up the line. The goal is to assemble the products with the lowest cost possible while meeting demand requirements. Since the work content of product variants may differ at...
After a mobile communication device (MCD), such as a smartphone or tablet, has been sold to the public, the customer may find that there is a defect. Each MCD is sold with a warranty that covers the repair of manufacturing defects and is supported by the MCD manufacturer. A third...
Supply chain disruptions and their propagating effects often result in negative impacts on supply chain performance, reduced profit, and an overall decrease in supply chain health. To mitigate these risks, it is important to understand the behavior of specific disruptions and to identify mitigation strategies that would be the most...
Large equine facilities are comprised of many different departments (areas) that are necessary for the proper care and maintenance of horses. The placement of departments is often inefficient due to the slow growth of equine facilities. As a result, facility layout becomes a crucial aspect requiring explicit consideration because mandatory...
Radio frequency identification (RFID) has long been regarded as an automated data collection technology that promises solutions to inefficiencies found in supply chains such as “just-in-case” inventory stock, inventory obsolescence, stockouts, and theft. However, the disappointingly slow return on RFID investment has forced companies to examine and redefine RFID initiatives....
Modern supply chains have grown to be far more complex than their predecessors, as global trade and accessibility have opened avenues of trade that were previously impossible. As such, the inherent risk of internal and/or external disruptions impacting the performance of a supply chain has also grown due to the...