Queue-constrained packing: A vehicle ferry case study

We consider the problem of loading vehicles onto a ferry. The order in which arrive at terminal can have significant impact on efficiency packing ferry as it may not be possible to place vehicle an optimal location if is front one dockside queues right point process. As arrival stochastic, we model process two-stage stochastic optimization where objective reduce penalties incurred by failing pack booked vehicles. first stage consists optimizing yard policy for allocating while second solves realisation using determined one. A novel stage-wise iterative metaheuristic introduced, alternates between each training set scenarios whilst fixing and solutions. introduce two encoders problem. Termed Sequential Block Packing Encode (SOPE) General Encoder (GPE), arrangements they produce are designed efficient easy implement staff. Results show that number available critical board