| dc.description.abstract | Pallets are fundamental assets critical to worldwide supply chain logistics. This research develops models
for closed-loop pallet pooling providers to understand the environmental and economic impact of
customer characteristics and design options. First, an analytical model is developed to quantify the ef-
fects of repair facility location and pallet service conditions on a pallet pooling system's economic and
environmental performance. Next, a simulation model is developed to investigate two common opera-
tional policies, crossdocking and take-back, and to quantify the impact of pallet handling and loading
conditions and customer network structures on several key performance indicators. Results indicate that
pallet handling and loading conditions are the most important factors determining the cost and carbon
equivalent emission of a pallet pooling operation. Better pallet handling and appropriate loading increase
the percentage of pallets that can be repositioned with little or no repair. This increases the radius within
which a closed-loop pallet pooling system is feasible. Under random handling/loading condi tions and
distances, a crossdocking approach satisfies demand with 28% fewer pallets than a take-back policy. This
is due to a quicker reissue time under a crossdocking approach. However, associated costs and emissions
of the two policies are nearly identical due to the increased transportation costs associated with
crossdocking. The models and insights proposed in this work can help support decision making by pallet
pooling providers to determine operational regions and customer selection, among other network design
trade-offs | en_US |
