In this paper we present new bounds on the basic cycle time for optimal methods to solve the JRP. They are tighter than the ones reported in Viswanathan [7]. We carry out extensive numerical experiments to compare them and to investigate the computational complexity.

In this paper we present a new distribution concept called ‘floating stocks’, which uses intermodal transport to deploy inventories in a supply chain in advance of retailer demand. Supplying part of the demand directly by road compensates the longer transit time of this transport....

In this study we investigate the desired level of recovery under various inventory control policies when the success of recovery is probabilistic. Recovery process is modelled as a single stage operation and recovery effort is represented by the expected time spent for it. The effect of...

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a tool that was introduced in the early 50´s by Box and Wilson (1951). It is a collection of mathematical and statistical techniques useful for the approximation and optimization of stochastic models. Applications of RSM can be found in e.g. chemical,...

Control of spare parts is very difficult as demands can be very low (once in a few years is no exception), while the consequences of a stockout can be severe. While in the past many companies choose to have very large spares inventories, one now observe trends in areas with good transportation...

We study the joint replenishment problem (JRP) for M items under deterministic demand, with a minimum order quantity constraint for each item in the replenishment order. We first study an iterative procedure that proves to be not efficient in this case. Further, we derive bounds on the basic...

This paper addresses the Rolling Stock Balancing Problem (RSBP). This problem arises at a passenger railway operator when the rolling stock has to be re-scheduled due to changing circumstances. These problems arise both in the planning process and during operations. The RSBP has as input a...

Real-time railway operations are subject to stochastic disturbances. However, a railway timetable is a deterministic plan. Thus a timetable should be designed in such a way that it can cope with the stochastic disturbances as well as possible. For that purpose, a timetable usually contains time...

This paper examines the algorithms proposed in the literature for finding good critical level policies in the (S-1,S) lost sales inventory model with multiple demand classes. Our main result is that we establish guaranteed optimality for two of these algorithms. This result is extended to...

In this paper we give a complete analysis of the joint replenishment problem (JRP) under constant demands and continuous time. We present a solution method for the JRP when a correction is made for empty replenishments, and we test the solution procedures with real data. We show that the...