The Relationship between the Aggregation Quantity of Foldable Containers and the Wait Time of Vehicles and Containers

Abstract

This study investigates how foldable container (FLD) design features, specifically the number of tiers bundled (NT) and the wait time (WT) for collecting empty containers, affect vehicle operations for repositioning empty containers. Repositioning empty containers efficiently is crucial to minimise unproductive transport, as it consumes substantial resources similar to those required for moving laden containers, without generating direct revenue. We employ a simulation model to assess the potential reduction in vehicle usage through the use of FLDs within a basic container reuse network. Numerical experiments reveal a trade-off between WT and the number of vehicles, with the fixed-quantity departure method proving more efficient than the fixed-interval departure method. However, its efficiency depends on the frequency of empty container arrivals. These findings offer valuable insights for optimising FLD utilisation and enhancing empty container repositioning operations.