Cracking the packing code: New models incorporate item priority, location and weight distribution

Packing isn’t just about fitting everything into a certain space—it’s also about being able to retrieve important items quickly and correctly. In a pair of new studies, researchers from North Carolina State University developed packing models that optimize spatial use while including item priority, location and weight distribution. The new models could improve efficiency in areas ranging from combat loading in military logistics to warehouse storage and multidrop delivery services.