A simulation model to migrate from cross docks to PI-hubs
Résumé
Global supply chain optimization to achieve better efficiency in respect of environmental constraints recently motivated several research works on the idea of the physical internet as a worldwide open logistics system intending to bring new models that make the current logistics systems more flexible and sustainable. The developed concept aims to profoundly change the way objects are handled, stored or moved, taking inspiration from the digital internet. Physical Internet reproduces many concepts from the digital Internet. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of physical internet on reducing logistics costs and improving the quality of service in cross docks. Given the significant difference between the digital and physical systems, such a study is necessary to evaluate the efficiency of investments linked to the implementation of physical internet. Two simulation models are proposed to compare performances of a classical cross dock and a PI-cross dock (PI-hub) under the same flow