Optimal space for storage yard considering yard inventory forecasts and terminal performance

This paper presents a method for forecasting the yard inventory of container terminals over an extended period, and addresses an integrated yard planning problem for determining the optimal storage space utilization by considering the yard congestion effect on terminal performance. A formulation based on random variables and probabilistic functions was developed, which allows prediction of the storage space requirement without requiring fully-integrated simulation models. Then, an integrated cost objective function was defined. Numerical experiments were performed to illustrate how the forecasting model works and to support decision-making on yard planning and design for both inbound and outbound/transshipment areas.     

铁路集装箱场站效率评价研究

首先构建符合我国铁路集装箱场站生产实际的效率评价指标,选取对集装箱场站作业效率有重要影响的要素作为输入、输出指标;其次将灰色关联分析与层次分析法同时用于DEA模型,以构建主观客观相结合的权重约束空间,采用基于综合权重＂偏好序＂约束的DEA方法中的CCR、BCC模型,用EMS软件计算模型的效率值。通过对效率值进行横向、纵向比较分析,对广铁集团管内14个集装箱办理站2009年、2010年的效率进行评价,提出改进铁路集装箱场站效率的方法。     

Space allocating strategies for improving import yard performance at marine terminals

This paper focuses on the organization of the import storage yard at container port terminals. Three new stacking strategies are introduced which take into account the containers’ arrival and departure rates and the storage yard characteristics. A mathematical model based on probabilistic distribution functions is developed to estimate the number of rehandles required to manage an import container yard. The model is applied to the three proposed stacking strategies. Results show that the optimal strategy depends on stacking height and the relationship between vessel headway and container dwell time.     

The impact of container terminal relocation on hinterland geography

This paper presents a mathematical model for calculating the generalized costs resulting from the transportation of containers from multiple locations in a geographical region to different container terminals serving this region. The generalized costs are calculated using a road and rail transport network model, enabling potential hinterlands of terminals in close competition to be delimited, rather than port hinterlands as is more common in the literature. The mathematical model is used in a case study on the consequences of building a new terminal in the port of Lisbon and closing down an existing terminal, implying a terminal relocation between river banks. The model shows that this relocation has significant implications in the delimitation of container terminal potential hinterlands across southern Portugal. Conclusions and policy recommendations regarding the consequences of such relocation are given in terms of relative competitiveness of the different terminals and suitability of the relocation.     

Optimal rail-road container terminal locations on the European network

The European transport policy has focused on sustainable transport solutions, among which intermodal transport is a key player. However, its efficiency is strongly dependent on the location of the container terminals. In this paper, a set of estimated potential locations is used as input for an iterative procedure based on the p-hub median problem that takes the variation in trans-shipment costs according to the number of trans-shipped containers into account. The final results are the optimal locations for European transfer terminals embedded in a hub-and-spoke network.     

The impact of truck arrival information on container terminal rehandling

This paper uses simulation to evaluate the use of truck arrival information to reduce container rehandles during the import container retrieval process by improving terminal operations. A variety of scenarios with different levels of truck information and various container bay configurations are modeled to explore how the information quality and bay configuration affect the magnitude of benefit. The results demonstrate that a complete arrival sequence is not required to substantially reduce rehandles, significant benefit can be obtained under small amounts of information, the benefits grow with the bay size, and that updating information in real time significantly lowers information requirements.     

Terminal and yard allocation problem for a container transshipment hub with multiple terminals

This paper presents an integer programming model for the terminal and yard allocation problem in a large container transshipment hub with multiple terminals. The model integrates two decisions: terminal allocation for vessels and yard allocation for transshipment container movements within a terminal as well as between terminals. The objective function aims to minimize the total inter-terminal and intra-terminal handling costs generated by transshipment flows. To solve the problem, we develop a 2-level heuristic algorithm to obtain high quality solutions in an efficient way. Computational experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

The spatial coverage of shipping lines and container terminal operators

The aim of this paper is to provide a quantitative basis for the discussions about globalization of carriers and container terminal operators. A measuring framework is developed that allows for the comparison of the distribution of ship carrying capacity across various regions, and the comparison of the distribution of terminal throughput worldwide. This approach also allows the investigation of the degree to which liner shipping networks match related terminal portfolios.The main outcomes highlight significant differences between the geographical scope of liner networks, and between the coverage of corresponding terminal portfolios. Interesting results emerge from the matching of networks of integrated operators: early-movers such as Maersk and latecomers such as MSC have very different levels of vertical integration.     

A heuristic algorithm for yard truck scheduling and storage allocation problems

The yard truck scheduling and the storage allocation are two important decision problems affecting the efficiency of container terminal operations. This paper proposes a novel approach that integrates these two problems into a whole. The objective is to minimize the weighted sum of total delay of requests and the total travel time of yard trucks. Due to the intractability of the proposed problem, a hybrid insertion algorithm is designed for effective problem solutions. Computational experiments are conducted to examine the key factors of the problem and the performance of the proposed heuristic algorithm.     

Tactical berth and yard template design at container transshipment terminals: A column generation based approach

Quay-side berthing congestion is an emerging challenging issue that arises in busy container transshipment terminals and calls for effective management of terminal operations. This paper tackles the berthing congestion problem by introducing a proactive management strategy from the terminal’s perspective that adjusts the calling schedule of feeder vessels in such a way that the quay-side workload distribution in the temporal dimension can be balanced. Such a schedule template design problem is considered simultaneously with another two tactical level decision problems, berth template design (i.e., determining preferred berthing positions for vessels) and yard template design (i.e., allocating storage yard space to transshipment flows). This highly integrated problem is formulated as a set covering model. Heuristic methods based on column generation are developed to obtain near-optimal solutions in an efficient way. Computational experiments on real-world sized test instances demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Negotiating truck arrival times among trucking companies and a container terminal

Congestion of trucks in port areas has created serious environmental and traffic problems in many countries. One of main reasons for congestion is the concentrated arrivals of road trucks at peak hours. A negotiation process for smoothing truck arrivals in peak hours among multiple trucking companies and a terminal is addressed. The negotiation process is to be used for the appointment system for road trucks in container terminals. This paper suggests a mathematical formulation for smoothing the peaks in arrivals considering the inconvenience of trucks from changing their arrival times and the waiting cost of trucks in peak hours. This study proposes a decentralized decision-making model to support the negotiation process between truck companies and the terminal operator. It gives an acceptable solution to every player involved as well as the near optimal solution to the entire system from the global point of view. Numerical experiments are performed to validate the approach in this study.     

Container storage and transshipment marine terminals

This study addresses the storage arrangement of transshipment containers on a container yard, in order to carry out efficiently the ship handling operations at a terminal where mega-containerships call. An optimization model is specified to investigate the flow of containers from the mega-containership to feeder ships using intermediate storage at the yard. A heuristic based on the lagrangian relaxation is formulated. The quality of the heuristic approach is tested in a number of experiments. In the experiments, various situations are analyzed with respect to mega-containership arrival rates, some strategies for stack arrangements and terminal layouts.     

Analysis of factors underlying foreign entry strategies of terminal operators in container ports

Port reforms around the world have opened regional container port terminal markets. The emergence of a wide array of global terminal operators has led to a differentiation in entry strategies driven by their respective objectives and by factors exogenous to the firm.This paper looks at antecedent factors that play a role in a company’s entry strategy in a public–private partnership (PPP) setting by performing binomial logistic regression on a large sample of container terminal deals over the period 2002–2010. More specifically, it analyses to what extent firm-specific, external, project and cross-cultural factors play a decisive role in the choice between direct PPPs (i.e. stepping into a new PPP arrangement such as a new concession agreement) and indirect PPPs (i.e. stepping into an existing PPP arrangement through acquisitions).The empirical findings demonstrate the pivotal role of some firm specific characteristics (market experience and business model), external factors (host country development and market openness, government effectiveness, market concentration degree, and market saturation) and project-related factors (project size, number of partners involved, and equity joint venture with the Port Authority), also unveiling some preliminary results in relation to cross-cultural variables.     

适应现代物流理念的合肥铁路枢纽货运站布局规划

运输市场竞争的加剧,要求铁路货运业务必须向现代物流服务转变。结合合肥经济、交通发展现状及规划,提出了完善优化合肥铁路枢纽货运站布局、合肥综合性货运站搬迁的必要性,对物流化合肥铁路枢纽货运站选址的原则、方案及结果进行详细分析。     

Characterizing the performance of queuing networks in terminal control systems

The terminal infrastructure is critical for the effective and efficient operation of air traffic flow. The increase in air traffic flow creates pressure on air transport infrastructures and networks. Therefore, decision-makers need to develop and utilize efficient evaluation and analysis tools based on the limited availability of resources. Inspired by the underlying structure of queues for air traffic flow, a Petri-net-based model is developed in this study to characterize the system performance. In this study, air transportation networks are analyzed using a series of performance indicators that are based on a discrete-event system model.     

铁路货场搬迁工程投资模式的探讨

位于城市中心区域的铁路货场干扰城市规划发展、限制铁路运量提高,货场向城市外围搬迁成为解决问题的首选方案。通过对此类货场搬迁工程的调查,分析其投资模式。     

The impact of airline alliance terminal co-location on airport operations and terminal development

The notion of co-locating alliance carriers to their designated terminals in airports has gained significant interest in recent years. While benefits on the part of airlines are made clear by existing literature on alliance-hubbing, the tangible benefits to airport operators are less clear due to a lack of studies in the literature. This paper considers existing cases of London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Tokyo Narita Airport, and applies their operational practices to a medium-sized airport in Asia Pacific to evaluate the universal applicability of alliance member co-location. Although some operational and financial improvements are observed, the paper concludes that implementation of this concept should not be done through a one-size-fits-all approach.     

Energy performance analysis of airport terminal buildings by use of architectural,operational information and benchmark metrics

Airport terminal buildings are one of the most energy-intensive building types, and their constituents can include several types of spaces in one-roof structures. However, they have been rarely included in several energy-related studies due to the complexity of their mechanical and operational systems. The purpose of this research is to propose benchmark metrics to investigate the energy performance of existing and future airport terminal buildings. By using measured data of total 30 existing ones in North America and simulated results of total 90 specific space type models, a more improved multivariate regression model can refine the values for average of energy use. When revalued from their characteristics based on the refined average, energy performance forecasts are improved by from 1.1% to 3.0% as compared to the case of the simple average. In addition, it can be used to define a higher energy baseline reflecting some weights adjusted by the building characteristics and to apply it into the space configurations for new airport terminal buildings.     

The effect of multi-scenario policies on empty container repositioning

This paper addresses a container maritime-repositioning problem where several parameters are uncertain and historical data are useless for decision-making processes. To address this problem, we propose a time-extended multi-scenario optimization model in which scenarios can be generated taking into account shipping company opinions. We then show that multi-scenario policies put shipping companies in the position of satisfying empty-container demands for different values that may be taken by uncertain parameters.