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Bruzzone, Agostino; Signorile, Robert
doi: 10.1177/003754979807100202pmid: N/A
The goal of our research is to develop a collection of software tools to be integrated into the exist ing industrial software environment to support terminal operators in making strategic decisions about resource allocation and terminal organiza tion. We believe that the first important step in this process is to define a simulation tool to plan and optimize the placement of containers in the terminal. The decision about where a container is to be placed in the terminal yard depends on many parameters: the present occupancy level of the container area (or cluster), the final destina tion of the containers, the best position to dock the ship, the container's size, the container's content and so on. The problem is difficult be cause of the competing nature of these param eters and because the containers arrive some weeks before the ship's actual arrival date. In this paper, we describe the use of genetic algo rithms (GAs) to perform two tasks: planning (or scheduling) the cluster creation and optimally locating the clusters in the yard. We discuss each GA in detail and present preliminary results.
Merkuryev, Yuri; Tolujew, Juri; Blümel, Eberhard; Novitsky, Leonid; Ginters, Egils; Viktorova, Elena; Merkuryeva, Galina; Pronins, Jurijs
doi: 10.1177/003754979807100203pmid: N/A
The paper discusses the key issues of the application of modelling and simulation for management of the Riga Harbour Container Terminal (RHCT), which have been explored within the concerted action project, "Appli cation of Modern Concepts in the Automated Information Management in Harbours by Using Advanced IT-Solutions." The project was financed by the European Commission in 1995-1997 under the COPERNICUS-1994 Programme. It was aimed at improving logistics processes at RHCT, the largest container terminal on the Baltic Sea, playing an important role in the transit transport chain between western European countries and eastern countries of the former Soviet Union (Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, etc.). The problems considered and approaches to solve them are not unique for RHCT, but are typical for growing harbours. Therefore, the results obtained could be used as a guideline for solving analogous problems at other harbours.
Nevins, Michael R.; Macal, Charles M.; Love, Richard J.; Bragen, Mark J.
doi: 10.1177/003754979807100204pmid: N/A
PORTSIM is a seaport simulation model that computes throughput capability and determines resource utilization at a high level of detail. The ability to animate and to visualize these seaport processes will greatly enhance PORTSIM's capability and will allow planners to see operational constraints and bottlenecks, as opposed to inferring operational limitations through reviewing the existing PORTSIM statistical reports, graphs and charts. The animation and visualization will aid in the validation of the simulation processes and will provide a mechanism for planners to verify that the simulation executes in the desired manner. Playback and callback modes of animation and visualization will be described, and technical challenges to both modes of execution will be addressed.
Gambardella, Luca Maria; Rizzoli, Andrea E.; Zaffalon, Marco
doi: 10.1177/003754979807100205pmid: N/A
A decision support system for management of an intermodal container terminal is presented. Among problems to be solved are the spatial allo cation of containers in the terminal yard, the allo cation of resources, and the scheduling of opera tions to maximise a performance function based on economic indicators. These problems are solved using techniques from optimisation, such as job-shop scheduling, genetic algorithms or mixed-integer linear programming. At the termi nal, the same problems are usually solved by the terminal manager, using only his experience. The manager can trust computer-generated solutions only by validating them by means of a simulation model of the terminal. Thus, the simulation tool also becomes a means to introduce new ap proaches into traditional settings. We focus on the resource allocation problem and describe our modules for optimisation of the allocation process and the simulation of the terminal. The former is based on integer linear programming; the latter is a discrete-event simulation tool based on the pro cess-oriented paradigm. The simulator provides a testbed for checking the validity and robustness of the policy computed by the optimisation module.
Thiers, Geert F.; Janssens, Gerrit K.
doi: 10.1177/003754979807100206pmid: N/A
Access to the port of Antwerp in Belgium is provided through locks connecting the river with the docks. The decision to build a container quay on the river, outside the port, will hinder through traffic. A simulation model is built to investigate the hindrance of the river quay. Detailed modelling of maritime traffic on the river, including navigation logic, tides and lock planning, are included. Simulation experiments are run based both on current real-life measurements and on traffic forecasts. The model is built and implemented in such a way that it is reusable and extendible for future decisions on infrastructure improvements or maintenance projects.
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