Complexity Constraint in the Distributor’s Pallet<break/> Loading Problem
Hugo Barros,
Teresa Pereira,
António G. Ramos,
Fernanda A. Ferreira
Affiliations
Hugo Barros
Centre for Research & Development in Mechanical Engineering (CIDEM), School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Teresa Pereira
Centre for Research & Development in Mechanical Engineering (CIDEM), School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
António G. Ramos
Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC-TEC), School of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Fernanda A. Ferreira
Applied Management Research Unit (UNIAG), School of Hospitality and Tourism, Polytechnic of Porto, 4480-876 Vila do Conde, Portugal
This paper presents a study on the complexity of cargo arrangements in the pallet loading problem. Due to the diversity of perspectives that have been presented in the literature, complexity is one of the least studied practical constraints. In this work, we aim to refine and propose a new set of metrics to measure the complexity of an arrangement of cargo in a pallet. The parameters are validated using statistical methods, such as principal component analysis and multiple linear regression, using data retrieved from the company logistics. Our tests show that the number of boxes was the main variable responsible for explaining complexity in the pallet loading problem.
