Logistics systems and optimisation strategies under uncertain operational environment

Transportation and logistics systems are characterised by their highly dynamic structures along with numerous interconnected processes. The natures of these systems involve various levels of resource allocation decisions where usually it is not always possible to execute these decisions in the field on time at the best possible way because of the unpredictable factors in plans. By considering the uncertain operational environment, this paper explores the uncertainty issue within operational systems and deals with the problem of allocating resources to maximise expected total profit and minimise inefficiencies under uncertainty. The aim is to design, develop, visualise, and effectively deal with a more realistic model to satisfy uncertain demand nodes by leaving minimal or no unsatisfied zones within an operational environment at seaports, transportation, logistics and supply chain systems. A representative optimisation model, which is developed to address the uncertainty issue, has been solved by using an optimisation algorithm. The results show that operational plans without the utilisation of uncertainty models could have negative impacts, including increased emissions, negative environmental effects, along with higher costs to organisations.uncertainty; optimisation algorithm; resource allocation; transport systems; logistics; environment; ports; modelling