Provision of loading docks and parking spaces for goods vehicles at developments

Abstract

The provision of a sufficient number of loading docks and parking spaces for goods vehicles is an important consideration a t developments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate current queuing models that are used for this purpose. The problem that was identified is that existing queuing models are based on the assumption that service times follow an Exponential distribution while a Log-Normal distribution is more appropriate. The use of the Exponential distribution results in an overestimation of the required number of loading docks and parking spaces. Service time distributions were evaluated during the study and use was made of a simulation model to estimate the required number of loading docks and service times. The conclusion of the study is that existing approaches overestimate the required number of loading docks and parking spaces at developments.