Berth and Quay Machinery Scheduling Algorithm for Bulk Cargo Terminals in Small and Medium-Sized Inland River Ports

Abstract

By integrating methodologies from intelligent transportation systems and operations research, a cross-disciplinary approach has been applied to develop the Critic Topsis-Improved Harmony Search (CT-IHS) algorithm. This innovative solution targets the inefficiencies present in manual scheduling practices at the bulk cargo terminal operation areas of small and medium-sized inland river ports, where reliance on human experience leads to high labor costs and suboptimal resource utilization. The CT-IHS algorithm combines elements from artificial intelligence, optimization theory, and traffic flow modeling to construct an advanced resource scheduling model tailored for these terminals. Through the application of this enhanced harmony search algorithm, the system generates optimized loading and unloading plans that significantly enhance terminal efficiency. Comparative simulation experiments have demonstrated that the proposed CT-IHS algorithm achieves a 4.294% average improvement in port efficiency evaluation function values over traditional empirical methods, and a 4.742% improvement over the Self-Adaptive Global Best Harmony Search (SGHS) algorithm. These results underscore the effectiveness of employing a cross-disciplinary strategy in addressing complex logistical challenges within the maritime industry, thereby setting a new benchmark for smart port operations.