Staffing and workforce scheduling for a security gate

An actual workforce scheduling study at an industrial security gate is presented. The objectives are to determine the gate's most appropriate staffing levels and optimum employee schedules. The gate's staffing requirements at different times of the day on workdays and weekends are determined based on the number of open lanes, the amount of traffic, and allowances for rest periods, training, vacations, and so on. Two scheduling recommendations are made: (i) using a combination of two-shift and three-shift employee schedules, and (ii) starting all shifts one hour earlier. Total savings are estimated to be 20% relative to the current schedule, amounting to eight employees and $500,000 annually.