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The Best Shape for a Crossdock

The Logistics Institute, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0205
Graduate School of Business and Public Policy, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California 93943
john.bartholdi{at}isye.gatech.edu
kevin.gue{at}nps.navy.mil

Within both retail distribution and less-than-truckload transportation networks crossdocks vary greatly in shape. Docks in the shape of an I, L, or T are most common, but unusual ones may be found, including those in the shape of a U, H, or E. Is there a best shape? We show that the answer depends on the size of the facility and on the pattern of freight flows inside. Our results suggest that many large crossdocks in practice suffer from poor design that increases labor costs on the dock.

Key Words: freight transportation; crossdocking; material handling; less-than-truckload motor carriers
History: Received: January 2001; revised: June 2001; revised: June 2003; accepted: June 2003.