Quality driven distribution of intelligent containers in cold chain logistics networks

Abstract

The ‘intelligent container’ represents a novel transport system with the ability to make autonomous decisions regarding the condition of its transported goods. For example, fruit in cold chain logistics networks is very sensitive to mould and tends to perish. This can cause huge losses during transport, because the state-of-the-art reefer containers are able to control the temperature but not in relation to the fruit condition. The ‘intelligent container’ is able to precisely monitor the condition of fruit, as well as track its geographical position. Thus, the transport losses can be reduced due to better climate control and enhanced distribution strategies. This paper focuses on the development of a new scheduling method for distribution by applying principles of quality-driven customer order decoupling corridors (qCODC). Such corridors allow the dynamic change of allocations of container to customer order assignments. These corridors increase the flexibility of the decision-making process. Therefore, a simulation model will be developed and used in order to evaluate the potential of the new scheduling method based on the concept of the ‘intelligent container’ and qCODC.