Load planning for shipments of low density products

This paper presents a complex computer-based heuristic procedure for sizing customer orders and developing three dimensional load diagrams for rail and truck shipment of low density products. This heuristic procedure was developed for, and is in various phases of implementation at, a large multinational U.S.-based consumer products company. Products are shipped daily in high volume from inventory in corrugated containers of various sizes depending on the product package sizes and customer requirements. Vehicles used include railcars, truck trailers and tandem truck trailers, which also vary in size depending upon need and availability. In most cases, product volume or material handling considerations limit the amount of product loaded into vehicles before weight restrictions are met. Hence, the emphasis here is on low density products. The procedure developed has been demonstrated to significantly increase vehicle utilization, and improve customer service. It is fast and accurate enough to be used in real time during the order entry process. It has also been used successfully in a vehicle feasibility study of single versus tandem trailers.