A container terminal simulation model with animation capabilities

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to introduce a computer simulation model with on-screen animation graphics, which can simulate the operations of a container terminal equipped with straddle carriers. The movements of the equipment are simulated as realistically as possible, to include time losses due to the mismatch in the sequence of equipment movements and to traffic congestion. Trucks are normally served in a specified area, but in some cases, straddle carrier drivers can call the truck to be served directly in the container storage areas. The experience of operators is incorporated in the model, in the form of a knowledge base, that is used to simulate the above process and determine the service discipline. The model was designed to evaluate different configurations (changes in yard layout, equipment number and productivity, truck arrival pattern and service discipline) of the simulated system. The proposed model was used to examine the differences between "the observed" operations strategy and the strategy dictated by the operational rules of the port of Piraeus. The results indicate that "the observed" strategy leads to shorter truck service time but increase the traffic conflicts in the terminal's internal transport networks.

Container terminal gate appointment system optimization

“…The results indicate that the appointment system did not have any meaningful impacts on the overall truck turn time and the outside pressure, mainly from legislation, played a major role in the implementation of the appointment system. Ballis and Abacoumkin (1996), and Kim et al (2003) have investigated the receipt/delivery operation in the yard. The former has developed a computer program with animation capabilities to simulate container yard operation that services outside trucks.…”

A Simulation Platform for Combined Rail/Road Transport in Multiyards Intermodal Terminals

“…The total travel time required to handle all container moves was applied as a performance measure to determine the yard layout for the seaport terminal. A computer simulation model with on-screen animation graphics which can simulate the operations of a container terminal equipped with straddle carriers was introduced by Ballis and Abacoumkin [12]. Based on this model, different configurations (changes in yard layout, equipment number and productivity, truck arrival pattern, and service discipline) of the simulated system can be evaluated.…”

Gantry crane operations to transfer containers between trains: A simulation study of a Spanish terminal

“…For example, Yun and Choi [13] present a simulation model of Pusan port (South Korea) to evaluate a diversity of changes relating to yard layout, equipment number and productivity, truck arrival pattern and service discipline. The models proposed by Ballis and Abacoumkin [14] for a Greek port, and by Ramani [15] for an Indian port also consider the operations of the terminal as a whole, but concentrate especially on the detailed representation of vehicle movement to try to improve traffic through the terminal. Merkuryev et al [16] present a general simulation model for a port to evaluate possible technological improvement of the terminal.…”