The Calculation of the Number of Forklift Trucks in a Warehouse Using Queueing Theory
Keywords:
Warehouse, Forklift truck, Queuing theoryAbstract
This research applies queuing theory to develop a mathematical model for determining the optimal number of forklifts in a warehouse. The case study is the inbound side of a beverage company in northeastern Thailand. The objective is to minimize the total cost per day, consisting of service cost and waiting cost. The analysis reveals that the appropriate queuing model is M/M/k. Additionally, the developed objective function is a convex function, where the global minimum can be obtained through numerical simulation.
References
Lertlum C, Niyamosoth T, Chuenphitthayavut K. A duration-of-stay-based storage assignment policy in a warehouse: A case study of the warehouse of a beverage company in the northeast of Thailand. KKU Res J (Grad Stud). 2024;24(4):28-39. Thai. Available from: https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/gskku/article/view/252386
Richards G. Warehouse management. 3rd ed. London: Kogan Page; 2018.
Render B, Stair RM, Hanna ME, Hale TS. Quantitative analysis for management. 13th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited; 2018.
Šaderová J, Marasová D, Galliková J. Simulation as logistic support to handling in the warehouse: Case study. TEM J. 2018;7(1):112-7. Available from: https://www.temjournal.com/content/71/TemJournalFebruary2018_112_117.pdf
Masek J, Camaj J, Nedeliakova E. Application the queuing theory in the warehouse optimization. Int J Ind Manuf Syst Eng. 2015;9(11):3744-8. Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/20200308144821/https://zenodo.org/record/1109511/files/10002701.pdf
Schleyer M, Furmans K. An analytical method for the calculation of the waiting time distribution of a discrete time G/G/1-queueing system with batch arrivals. OR Spectr. 2007;29:745-63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-006-0065-0
Alnahhal M, Ahrens D. A simulation-based system for calculating optimal numbers of forklift drivers in industrial plants. Bavarian J Appl Sci. 2018;4:354-69. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25929/bjas.v4i1.53
Sysoiev V, Kushneruk I. Determination of the number of forklifts in the distribution center using the queuing network model. Oper Supply Chain Manag. 2023;16(2):229-41. Available from: http://doi.org/10.31387/oscm0530385
Ebeling CE. An introduction to reliability and maintainability engineering. 2nd ed. Illinois: Waveland Press; 2010.
Sugito, Rahmawati R, Wardhani JK. Queue theory for triangular and Weibull arrival distribution models (case study of Banyumanik toll). J Phys Conf Ser. 2018;1025:1-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1025/1/012125
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 KKU Research Journal (Graduate Studies)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
