Statistical modeling of the container inventory control in a distribution network

The study of the reusable container inventory control in a distribution network is crucial to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the transportation systems. In order to minimize the total operation cost of such a transportation network system, all subsystems of the distribution network have to be optimized together as a whole system. In this study, we extended the inventory control concept and developed a multiple-inventory control model for the transportation network. We presented a systematic approach to address all those subsystems as interrelated systems. Mathematical models were developed for the transportation and container inventory control problems first. Then, the statistical modeling method was used to analyze the effects of the container inventory management policies on the performance of the transportation system. Based on the optimization theory, simulation executions were such arranged to lead to the globe optimality. This makes it possible to optimize the variables of inventory control under different control policies without solving mathematical models. A Simulation Code Generator (SCG) was also developed for a general container inventory control system.