Simulation for performance evaluation of the housekeeping process

Abstract

The literature on the optimization of container terminal logistics has recently focused on space assignment and equipment management within the yard sub-system. Yet, to our knowledge, no models have been proposed for housekeeping, i.e. the process according to which a container is moved from one yard position to another during its stay in the terminal's storage area. Housekeeping has only been addressed as a conceptual choice lying behind yard operating rules when dealing with empirical investigations for intelligent yard stacking. Here we propose a queuing-based representation of the current housekeeping process in a real container terminal and solve it by discrete-event simulation to i) assess the efficiency of the housekeeping operations under unforeseen events or process disturbances and ii) estimate the related productivity and waiting phenomena which, in turn, affect the vessel turn-around time. Sample results returned by the simulator are presented to illustrate possible usage via scenario analysis.

A Performance Measurement Model Minimizing Housekeeping Personnel Costs

“…Eriksson and Li [7] establish the industry's response to growing competition and pressure to restructure considering the working conditions and experience of housekeepers in various hotel types. Legato et al [14] develop a queuing-based representation of the current housekeeping process in a real container terminal to assess the efficiency of the housekeeping operations under unforeseen events or process disturbances and estimate the related productivity. They use discrete-event simulation to solve the model.…”

Serious Games for Improving Situational Awareness in Container Terminals

“…When no import or export containers have to be transferred to or from the stack, the cranes are used for so-called housekeeping moves to optimize the location of the containers in the stack. e.g., when a container that will have to be taken from the yard an hour from now is at the bottom of a stack of four containers, housekeeping moves will 'dig' for the container by first moving the containers that are on top of it (Legato et al 2012).…”