What is generally not included in dispatching tools is an analysis of when dispatching decisions should be made. This project examines this issue in detail, in recognition of the fact that potential benefits exist when the timing of decisions is explicitly considered. Early decisions aid in pre-planning, but late decisions can seek more globally optimal solutions because more is known about the available freight pool. This project seeks to quantify the value of these trade-offs to determine the optimal timing of dispatching decisions. Researchers at both the University of Arkansas and the University of Louisville will be involved in the research.
Some examples are truck dispatching, resource scheduling, empty and full container management, etc.
When the project is completed, we will not only know the best load assignments but also when the best time is to make those decisions. In a more general sense, an objective is to provide a methodology, using simulation and optimization, to examine timing issues in dispatching and similar problems in general. The project will include at least one GRA at the University of Louisville and at least one at the University of Arkansas. This project builds upon a long history of research in truckload and LTL trucking performed by Dr. Taylor over the past five years. The most closely related work is MBTC project 1061, entitled Development and Analysis of Efficient Delivery Lanes and Zones in Truckload Trucking.