Improving the Efficiency of Cross-Docking Operations in International Road Transportation Based on the Development of Joint Operational Schedules

This article examines the important task of improving the operational efficiency of international road freight transport by optimising complex processes in cross-docking logistics centres. It provides an in-depth analysis of the inherent difficulties in handling less-than-truckload shipments, focusing on three main obstacles: the need for precise coordination between incoming and outgoing freight flows, significant constraints imposed by available time and physical infrastructure (such as docking areas), and the widespread problem of information silos that hinder transparency in the supply chain. To overcome these obstacles, the study presents and validates a new methodological approach focused on the creation and execution of integrated joint operational schedules. This system is designed to coordinate the joint actions of all key resources, namely delivery vehicles and loading/unloading docks (LUB). The main goal of implementing this synchronised planning system is to significantly reduce unproductive downtime for both vehicles and terminal resources, significantly reduce the end-to-end cargo handling cycle, and significantly increase the overall throughput of the logistics centre. The developed software uses discrete event simulation to model the dynamic environment of the logistics centre, allowing for dynamic resource and task allocation. Its main functions include the automatic creation of optimised schedules, the visualisation of these plans using dynamic Gantt charts for intuitive management, and the reliable calculation of key performance indicators such as vehicle downtime, LUB utilisation rate and total cargo handling time. This research provides a valuable practical tool to support decision-making for logistics managers, giving them advanced planning and control capabilities to build more sustainable, efficient and competitive international supply chains.