Question

Is it preferable for aisles to run parallel to the long or the short side of a rectangular warehouse? Why? (Assume a “flow through” layout with receiving and shipping at opposite sides)

Answer 1

While designing aisles in a warehouse, the two factors that are to be taken into account are the minimization of travelled distance and closeness to the items to be picked. Both these objectives can be realised when the distance is travelled through longer aisles ( along longer side), as it will give access to more storage units per unit of distance travelled. In case of breadthwise aisles, more aisles will be needed to cover all spaces which will occupy relatively more space and movement will be difficult with too many direction changes.