Performance evaluation of an automated storage and retrieval system common zone storage policy with demand valuation

Performances of common zone with various sizes are examined for possible demand rate variations for an automated storage and retrieval system. Common zone is a middle area located between the 1st class and the 2nd class to be used by the 1st class items if the assigned racks are not enough. This area is designed to resolve the rack shortage problem associated with a particular class. In the previous researches, effect of demand rate variation is ignored since fixed demand rate is assumed. It is found that rack shortage rate is decreased up to 60% of common zone size. However, no difference is found at above 70%. Waiting time tends to be longer with increased common zone while travel time and throughput are not affected at all with the common zone size.