This study investigates the effects of critical operational and strategical decisions in order-picking warehouses on order pickers’ tour lengths. For this study, one of the most-commonly applied layouts in practice, called two-block layout with a central cross aisle, was considered. A full factorial experimental design and multiple-comparisons (Bonferroni t-tests) were applied to statistically determine the significance of various levels of storage policies, pick-list sizes, warehouse shape ratios, warehouse sizes and their all interactions on average tour length. The analysis showed that deeper storage areas were superior to wider areas in small- and medium-sized warehouses. Warehouse designs with a 1:1 width-to-depth shape ratio offered the most robust layouts. Within-storage aisle policy significantly reduced order-picking tour length and generally outperformed other storage policies.

@article{oscm-2019-234,
  title={An Evaluation of Order-picking Tour Efficiency in Two-block Warehouses},
  year={2019},
  author={Ömer Öztürko?lu and Deniz Ho?er},
  journal={Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal},
  volume={12},
  number={2},
  pages={74--87},
  doi={10.31387/oscm0370225}
}

Ömer Öztürko?lu, Deniz Ho?er (2019). An Evaluation of Order-picking Tour Efficiency in Two-block Warehouses. Operations and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 12(2), 74-87. https://doi.org/10.31387/oscm0370225