An MILP Optimization Problem for Sizing Port Rail Networks and Planning Shunting Operations in Container Terminals

Abstract

This paper proposes an optimization approach for sizing port rail networks and planning railway shunting operations by adopting a discrete-time model of the overall system. First, a mixed-integer linear mathematical programming problem is defined in order to optimize shunting operations to be performed on the considered network by satisfying certain arrivals and departures of import and export flows. Moreover, the proposed procedure can be used to evaluate the capacity of a port rail network, in terms of maximum number of trains that can be managed over a certain time horizon, and to carry out what-if analyses aimed at testing different scenarios. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown by applying the optimization problem to a real case study referred to the port rail network of La Spezia Container Terminal located in Northern Italy. A computational analysis realized by varying the dimension and complexity of the problem instances is also reported in this paper to discuss the computational performance of the proposed model

Critical Literature Review into Planning of Inter-Terminal Transport: In Port Areas and the Hinterland

“…The queues' length is determined by the arrival rates, initial conditions, and service rate of terminal resources. Similar research can be found in Caballini et al [22] and Mishra et al [32].…”

“…Several simplifications have been applied in modeling the ITT operations like container handling time, transport time, and costs. For example, the productivity of shunting yards could be hard to accurately estimate in Caballini et al [21], Caballini et al [22]; and Mishra et al [32] only consider homogeneous vehicle capacity and no congestion was taken into account. These simplifications and assumptions keep the problem solvable but may result in losing accuracy.…”

“…In some cases, trains and barges may visit multiple terminals for ITT movements. Caballini et al [21] and Caballini et al [22] study the rail cycle in the port aimed at minimizing the queuing time in multiple yards. Li et al [23] use the inland vessel in ITT: when a vessel arrives at a terminal, both hinterland and ITT containers will be loaded and unloaded to/from the vessel.…”

Two-Stage Multiclass Modeling Approach for Intermodal Rail-Road Transport Networks

“…Aggregate discrete-time models have already been used for performance evaluation and optimization of specific intermodal transportation processes. In [41], [42], for instance, discrete-time models for freight movements by rail in maritime terminals are described. The model presented in this section is much more extensive considering the movement not only of freight but also of passengers and considering a more general applicative context.…”

Integrated Scheduling of Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes, Internal Trucks and Reach Stackers in Railway Operation Area of Container Terminal

“…The scheduling of RSs, which are widely used in railway container terminals, has not been well studied. Moreover, the handling operation for sea–rail intermodal container transportations is scarcely studied, and existing research related to intermodal transportation has mainly focused on the coordination of different modes ( 21 ), network planning ( 22 ), and evaluation ( 23 ). Therefore, the integrated scheduling of the RMGs, RSs, and ITs in container terminals for sea–rail intermodal transportation is studied in this paper.…”