Robotised Inter Terminal Transport of Containers a Simulation Study at the Rotterdam Port Area

In this contribution we present a generic object oriented simulation model for overland transport of containers. The main entities in the model are containers, container terminals and vehicles for transportation of containers. A terminal or service center may have several handling centres which are the nodal points for inter terminal transport (ITT). Handling centres possess equipment for loading and unloading ITT vehicles. Three types of transportation vehicles are modelled: Automated Guided Vehicles, Automated Lifting Vehicles and the Multi Trailer System with manned traction units. The model is equipped with a rule-based planning and control system. The main performance indicator is the percentage of containers which arrives at the ITT destination late: this is expressed as the nonperformance percentage. The model provides possibilities for studies of large scale ITT, in both relatively compact areas as the Rotterdam Port area and container transport over larger distances. The model is applied to the Maasvlakte, which is a part of the Port of Rotterdam, for the ITT container streams predicted for 2005, in which some 1.4×10 containers per year are to be moved.