port-IO: an integrative mobile cloud platform for real-time inter-terminal truck routing optimization

Abstract

Besides the transport of containers between transshipment areas, an increasing amount of containers needs to be moved to value-added logistics and auxiliary service areas leading to additional container flows within a seaport. Both real-time information exchange and optimization are necessary to efficiently coordinate actors and container movements being involved in respective inter-terminal transport (ITT). However, there is no decision support system facilitating real-time planning and management of ITT taking advantage of modern information technologies and optimization algorithms. In this paper, we formulate the inter-terminal truck routing problem as a novel optimization problem and propose two greedy heuristics and two hybrid simulated annealing algorithms. The computational experiments, conducted using real locations from the Port of Hamburg (Germany), are evaluated extensively. They indicate that the proposed hybrid simulated annealing algorithms are able to report feasible and improved routes within seconds. The optimization component is embedded into a scalable cloud platform that integrates both real-time data from truck drivers using a mobile app and current traffic data. As such, the proposed mobile cloud platform realizes the vision of a decision support system facilitating real-time communication and context-aware ITT planning for reducing costs and the carbon footprint.

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

“…Both centralized and decentralized systems have been studied. Heilig et al [13] introduce the usage of a centralized communication system with a cloud-based server and a mobile application. The core of this platform is routing optimization, which includes fixed vehicle costs, variable vehicle operating costs, and penalty costs for late delivery.…”

Optimizing Truck Visits to Container Terminals with Consideration of Multiple Drays of Individual Drivers

“…Constraint (11) states that for each time window the total number of appointments must be less than or equal to the gate capacity .…”

“…This type of work is often related to the reduction of 2 emissions. TASs have also been used to optimize interterminal movements of containers [11][12][13]. This work has resulted in the development of port-IO: an integrative mobile cloud platform for real-time interterminal truck routing optimization.…”

An Analysis of Digital Transformation in the History and Future of Modern Ports

“…A mobile application and a web application have been developed for establishing the communication link to truck drivers and dispatchers, respectively. In a recent work of Heilig et al [15], a solution based on a mobile cloud platform, utilizing real-time traffic and positioning information of drayage trucks, has been proposed for improving the collaboration and coordination of inter-terminal transports, extending current approaches with route optimization functionality. Also the Port of Algeciras Bay in Spain is driving a digitalization program Algeciras BrainPort 2020 (ABP 2020) 3 towards datadriven solutions for re-engineering of processes and management tools.…”