A recently published study described early advances in the development of mathematical models for the
design of AVS/RS’s [3]. Although simulation-based validation studies have verified that these tools have sufficient
accuracy for design conceptualization applications, they impose computational requirements that are
inconsistent with the requirements of a decision making environment where broad enumeration of the design
space is needed to identify candidate system profiles and minimize design risks. This environment requires
computationally efficient and accurate models that can be packaged in a platform yielding the appearance
of seamless, ‘‘spreadsheet like’’ implementation enabling the modeler to investigate highly disparate design
alternatives with immediate feedback on performance. The recent development of design optimization models
to compare crane-based and AV-based automation technologies with respect to cost was effective in capturing
this aspect of this problem [4]. However, there are no existing models of AVS/RS’s that effectively address the
performance aspects of the problem. The current study addresses this need.