Review of Relevant Literature on Modelling and Simulation Approaches for AS/RSs

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems support warehouse processes to improve production and logistics efficiency, reducing operating times and costs. In recent years, much attention has been paid on evaluating the performance of these systems using different simulation and modelling approaches. However, the current body of literature is quite fragmented and there is the need for a holistic overview of published scientific literature. To this end, this work presents a literature review in order to adequately identify relevant scientific trends and, consequently, the main research gaps in dealing with the systems under study. From the analysis of the obtained corpus of papers it can be observed that Shuttle Based Storage and Retrieval Systems are the most studied solutions, the most adopted approach is Discrete Event Simulation and operational impacts are the most frequently considered. By focusing on the research gaps, it can be highlighted that the validation process of the chosen methodology is often overlooked and the economic and ergonomic impacts are barely addressed.