Conflict resolution-motivated strategy towards integrated construction site layout and material logistics planning: A bi-stakeholder perspective

Efficiency of construction site layout planning (CSLP) and construction material logistics planning (CMLP) is of great significance for a successful project control. Despite considerable research undertaken to separately optimize the site layout plan or material logistics plan, the interdependencies and decision conflicts of the layout planner and the logistics planner are neglected in the construction planning and design phase. The ignorance of the decision conflicts and interdependencies can lead to an overrun cost, a delayed project or a worse quality. This research proposes a decentralized methodology based on a bi-level model and a Bi-PSO algorithm, enabling the layout planner and the logistics planner to optimize the CSLP and the CMLP in an integrated model. Fuzzy random parameters are utilized to deal with uncertainty in the data collection process. By utilizing the methodology, the stakeholders are capable of adjusting the respective decisions based on the changes of others. By iteratively adjusting the CSLP and CMLP solutions, the CSLP-CMLP decision conflicts are dealt with, accordingly, the bi-stakeholder conflict resolution-motivated CSLP-CMLP strategy is planned. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology, a real case study is conducted to optimize CSLP and CMLP simultaneously. The significance of optimizing an integrated CSLP-CMLP for the layout planner, the logistics planner and the general contractor is also justified. The contributions of this research include the capability of modeling the decision conflicts in a bi-level model, the ability of generating an integrated CSLP-CMLP solution and the practicality of guiding academic researchers and practitioners to optimize construction management from a global viewpoint. The research can be extended to other fields to explore the effects of decentralized decision making on other bi-stakeholder conflict resolution cases.