AN APPROACH TO THE OPTIMAL DESIGN OF A CONTAINER TERMINAL

The optimization of the design of a container terminal is approached using a G.P.S.S. simulation. The analysis of a container terminal points out the significant controllable variables used in the design. The model developed is static, discrete and stochastic, and has the structure of a queuing system. It is limited to the operational aspects of the transfer of containers from ship to hinterland transportation equipments and vice-versa. It is a two flow model: imports and exports. The literature does not present any specific method for the optimization of a stochastic queuing system. A methodology is developed using the computer simulation to implement the optimization process based on statistical outputs and a general search technique. This model allows the comparison of different types of designs while varying the number of facilities, performance of facilities, priority policies, volume of throughput and arrival patterns. This optimization technique could be refined and extended to more comprehensive designs.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Ocean Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Creton, J P
• Publication Date: 1973-6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Container handling; Container terminals; Container traffic; Containerization; Containers; Economics; Forecasting; Freight transportation; Intermodal transportation; Queuing theory
• Old TRIS Terms: Cargo movement; Container traffic projections
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048350
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Report/Paper Numbers: MS Thesis
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1976 12:00AM