Double Traversals in Optimal Picker Routes for Warehouses with Multiple Blocks

Abstract: Order picking is a process that involves collecting items from their respective locations within a warehouse. There exist dynamic programming algorithms for finding the minimal picker route by considering only a limited number of options for possible travel within a subaisle. Although one such action, traversing an aisle twice, has been shown to never be required for a rectangular warehouse with two cross-aisles, this is not the case when there are more than two cross-aisles. In this work, we demonstrate that double traversals within a subaisle are not required to connect cross-aisle travel regardless of the number of cross-aisles. This result simplifies the structure of feasible tours, enabling more efficient algorithms.