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

Crossed aisles are preferable for aisles but in such a case, the cross aisles are supposed to be straight along with picking the aisles at the 90 degrees in a rectangular warehouse. Crossed aisles are hence more preferable to cut the distance of warehouse travel instead of the aisles running parallel to the long or the short side of a rectangular warehouse otherwise because in the latter case, the time of travel increases as compared to the crossed aisles.

However, in general cases, for rectangular warehouses, it is said that it is preferable to run aisle parallel to the long or short side of the rectangular warehouse, traditionally because it attempts to minimize the picking cost apart from the Construction costs as well.