Modeling techniques in planning of terminals: The quantitative approach ensuring planning becomes reality

Abstract

The use of models in the process of planning a container terminal, or optimizing day-to-day operation, as well as to ensure the quality and configuration of the control software at a terminal, has proven to be of great value in practice. Simulation models, as one kind of models are particularly well applicable due to the variable and interdependent nature of process at a container terminal. For the various stages in terminal planning and expansion, various types of models are needed. At the early stages more abstract models are applicable, and in later stages this can lead to very detailed models, capable of answering very detailed questions, such as about ways to control the terminal, and about the exact kinematic specifications of equipment. A crucial part in the process of applying models, is validation - making sure the models are representing reality for the scope of the analysis, as well as accreditation - making sure that the users of the results models provide are actually trusting, and therefore also use them. Finally, we have seen that the lifespan of simulation models, in particular, has been extended from early planning questions to final commissioning of control software and day-to-day operation, where models serve as a means for answering questions in a quantitative way, as well as project memory. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.