%0 Journal Article %T Optimal Design of the Cross-docking in Distribution Networks: Heuristic Solution Approach %J International Journal of Engineering %I Materials and Energy Research Center %Z 1025-2495 %A Mousavi, S.M. %A Vahdani, B. %A Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Reza %D 2014 %\ 04/01/2014 %V 27 %N 4 %P 533-544 %! Optimal Design of the Cross-docking in Distribution Networks: Heuristic Solution Approach %K Logistics management %K Cross %K docking distribution networks %K mixed %K integer programming (MIP) model %K heuristics %K Simulated Annealing %R %X A design problem of cross-docking distribution networks is addressed as a new research area in logistics management. This paper presents a new mathematical model for the location of cross-docking facilities and vehicle routing scheduling problems in distribution networks. For this purpose, a two-phase mixed-integer programming (MIP) is formulated. Then, a new heuristic-based simulated annealing (SA) is developed for solving the proposed MIP model. Finally, the presented heuristic algorithm is subsequently tested on a number of small and large-scale instances. The computational results for different-sized instances illustrate that the proposed algorithm performs effectively in the reasonable time. %U https://www.ije.ir/article_72282_1381c21ad879e88010f9212f3a15a77b.pdf