Strategies for minimizing the effects of late truck arrivals on newspaper distribution systems

The current trend of using advanced computer technology to monitor and control newspaper distribution has brought into focus problems are unique to the newspaper industry. The distribution system not only has to deal with the rigid deadlines within which the newspaper must reach its destination, but it must also take into account and then react in an optimal manner to the uncertainties involved in such a complex operation. The complexity of the problem is multiplied when the distribution operation involves a multi-plant operation where random events in production control the distribution in a way necessitating inter-plant transfer of products. The inter-plant transfer in turn increases the sensitivity of the distribution process to the random events in truck traffic management at each plant.