| Locating the Loading Docks |
 |
|
| To reduce material handling costs, locate the loading dock where it minimizes in-plant forklift traffic. It is easier to move a loaded truck to specific points around the building than it is to move the contents of that truck pallet-by-pallet inside the building. |
|
| Choose the loading dock location based on the needs of the in-plant process. Typically, loading docks are placed in one of two patterns: |
 |
Combined, so that shipping and receiving are together (Fig. 1). |
|
Separated, with shipping and receiving at different locations (Fig. 2). |
|
|
The combined dock is a good choice for smaller plants, with little receiving or shipping. However, since it has to serve both functions, its location often increases the travel distances for in-plant traffic.
Plan for separated docks at plants where the materials enter the production line in one part of the building and the production is completed in another. This arrangement minimizes in-plant movement of materials. |
|
| Planning On-Site Traffic Flow |
|
| The truck driver has a better view of and control of a truck when sitting on the inside of the turn. So, plan traffic flow around the facility that places the truck driver on the inside of each turn. Where the driver sits on the left side of the truck cab—in countries with right side road traffic—plan for counter-clockwise truck movement around the building (Fig. 3). Conversely, where the driver sits on the right side of the cab—in countries with left side road traffic–plan for clockwise truck movement around the facility (Fig. 4). |
|
| For efficient on-site truck traffic, include the following elements in your design: |
|
|
An entrance driveway that is large enough to handle the turning radius of the longest truck serving the site. For efficiency and safety, permit trucks to be driven forward onto plant property, rather than backed up. |
|
|
Right angle turns onto the site that have a minimum inside radius of 8 m and a minimum outside radius of 16 m (Fig. 5). |
|
|
One-way access roads that are at least 4 m wide and two-way roads that are at least 8 m wide (Fig. 5). |
|
|
Employee roadways that are separate from truck traffic. |
|
|
Truck waiting areas adjacent to the loading docks. Unless you design the loading docks for peak arrival traffic, the waiting area has to accommodate all waiting trucks. |
|
