Simultaneous Allocation and Scheduling of Quay Cranes, Yard Cranes, and Trucks in Dynamical Integrated Container Terminal Operations

Abstract

We present a dynamical modeling of integrated (end-to-end) container terminal operations using finite state machine (FSM) framework where each state machine is represented by a discrete-event system (DES) formulation. The hybrid model incorporates the operations of quay cranes (QC), internal trucks (IT), and yard cranes (YC) and also the selection of storage positions in container yard (CY) and vessel bays. The QC and YC are connected by the IT in our models. As opposed to the commonly adapted modeling in container terminal operations, in which the entire information/inputs to the systems are known for a defined planning horizon, in this research we use realtime trucks, crane, and container storage operations information, which are always updated as the time evolves. The dynamical model shows that the predicted state variables closely follow the actual field data from a container terminal in Tanjung Priuk, Jakarta, Indonesia. Subsequently, using the integrated container terminal hybrid model, we proposed a model predictive algorithm (MPA) to obtain the near-optimal solution of the integrated terminal operations problem, namely the simultaneous allocation and scheduling of QC, IT, and YC, as well as selecting the storage location for the inbound and outbound containers in the CY and vessel. The numerical experiment based on the extensive Monte Carlo simulation and real dataset show that the MPA outperforms by 3-6% both of the policies currently implemented by the terminal operator and the state-of-the-art method from the current literature.

Energy-Aware Integrated Scheduling for Quay Crane and IGV in Automated Container Terminal

“…They formulated a mixed-integer planning model with the objective of minimizing operation time and designed an improved genetic algorithm incorporating a reinforcement learning mechanism, significantly enhancing AGV utilization rates. Cahyono et al [20] constructed a dynamic model integrating QC, internal trucks, and YC operations based on the finite state machine (FSM) framework. They proposed a model prediction algorithm (MPA) to obtain near-optimal solutions for equipment scheduling and container storage location.…”

The Integrated Scheduling Optimization for Container Handling by Using Driverless Electric Truck in Automated Container Terminal

“…Similarly, Equations ( 37) and ( 38) represent the earliest/latest time for the export container to pick up from the buffer bracket in front of the export container area. Equation (39) defines the actual operation time when the DET puts down the import container in the buffer bracket in front of the import container area, and Equation (40) defines the actual operation time when the DET picks up the export container in the buffer bracket in front of the export container area.…”

“…Yin et al [38] studied the quay cranes and shuttle vehicles simultaneous scheduling problem considering limited apron buffer capacity. Cahyono et al [39] studied the simultaneous allocation and scheduling of quay cranes, yard cranes, and trucks in dynamical integrated container terminal operations. Ça gatay Iris et al [40][41][42] presented the flexible containership loading problem for seaport container terminals, in which the integrated management of ship loading operations, including operational stowage planning, load sequencing, planning of the equipment to use and their scheduling, is addressed.…”

Integrated Scheduling of Automatic Guided Vehicles and Automatic Stacking Cranes in Automated Container Terminals Considering Landside Buffer Zone

“…The waiting time was eliminated by implementing temporal synchronization between AGVs and ASCs. Cahyono et al proposed a dynamic modeling approach for integrated (end-to-end) container terminal operations based on a finite-state machine framework ( 30 ). The model considers the operation of QCs, internal trucks, and YCs, as well as the choice of storage locations for container yards and ships.…”