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Dispatching and layout rules at an automated container terminal

Author

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  • Vis, Iris F.A.

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Faculteit der Economische Wetenschappen en Econometrie (Free University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics Sciences, Business Administration and Economitrics)

  • Bakker, Maurice

Abstract

We study an automated container terminal in which Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are used to internally transport containers and Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs) to store and retrieve containers. In designing container terminals, the terminal management has to consider the choice for interrelated AGV and ASC dispatching rules and the layout of the stack. In this paper, we, therefore, examine the joint decision problem of dispatching containers to AGVs, selecting ASCs and the layout of the stock. In choosing a certain combination of dispatching rules and layout, we have considered criteria, such as, unloading times of a ship, number of vehicles required and utilisation of equipment. From this specific study, we can conclude that hardly any differences in unloading times can be obtained if we choose another combination of AGV and ASC dispatching rules. However, savings of approximately 20% in the number of AGVs can be obtained, if we apply the nearest-AGV-first rule in combination with the cyclic ASC rule. The results of the layout experiments only show small variations in unloading times, but they justify further research to the options for ASCs to span a wider stack. From the sensitivity analysis, it can be concluded that Quay Cranes should be distributed as evenly as possible over the stip and that twin-load AGVs can be used to obtain significant savings in unloading times and up to 50% reductions in the number of AGVs required.

Suggested Citation

  • Vis, Iris F.A. & Bakker, Maurice, 2005. "Dispatching and layout rules at an automated container terminal," Serie Research Memoranda 0008, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    • Handle: RePEc:vua:wpaper:2005-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vis, Iris F. A. & de Koster, Rene, 2003. "Transshipment of containers at a container terminal: An overview," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(1), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Kroon, Rutger & Vis, Iris F.A., 2005. "Seriously Ceres ?," Serie Research Memoranda 0003, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dispatching rules; Layout; Simulation; Automated container terminal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • C44 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Operations Research; Statistical Decision Theory

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