Classification of Location Problems

Francis et al. (1992) view the facility location problem as a “layout problem in the large.” The problems of configuring a single facility and of configuring a system of facilities have much in common, but they arise in a variety of contexts and they also differ significantly in their characteristics. Because of the multiplicity of facility layout and location problems that have been addressed in the research literature, Francis et al. (1992) found it is useful to define a number of categories that can be used to classify facility location problems. In classifying facility location problems, six major elements are considered:

1. new facility characteristics,
2. existing facility locations,
3. new and existing facility interactions,
4. solution space characteristics,
5. distance measure, and
6. objective.

These elements are depicted in Francis et al. (1992), Figures 1.5-1.10, pp. 21-23.

Francis, Richard L., McGinnis, Leon F., Jr. and White, John A. Facilities Layout and Location, 2nd. ed., Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1992.

2006-10-05 10:41 pm