Date of Award

3-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Raymond R. Hill, PhD

Abstract

Thousands of vehicles (cars, trucks and vans) are transported every day from one location to another. These vehicles are moved around the country on Auto Carrier Transports (ACTs). Delivering these vehicles involves large quantities of time, money and energy. Any reduction in time and energy will result in a significant savings of money. The intent of this research is to develop an algorithm to solve the Auto Carrier Transport Pickup and Delivery Problem. In doing so, the focus is to limit the total times vehicles are placed on and taken off the carrier, otherwise known as the number of loads, and to minimize distance driven. Loadings involve unloading a vehicle from a carrier, loading a vehicle onto a carrier, or reloading a vehicle onto a carrier that was removed to gain access to vehicles deeper on the carrier. Increases in either distance driven or loads result in the expenditure of more time and money. Furthermore, increases in loadings increase the risk of damage to vehicles resulting in lower resale values. Results show that it is possible to either modify the routing or the position of the vehicles on the carrier to limit the loads. Which process is used depends on the distances the carrier is traveling and how many vehicles are awaiting pickup.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GAI-ENS-03-02

DTIC Accession Number

ADA413017

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