Detailed Transportation Simulation for Improved Logistics Quality

This paper demonstrates the advantages of logistics studies which include detailed transportation simulations based on mechanical engineering principles. Complex transportation system parameters are often averaged, aggregated, or assumed, resulting in models with questionable validity. Detailed simulations of route-specific real-world vehicle performance for analysis systems (such as Transport Probability Analysis) can often provide more accurate predictors of logistics system performance, resulting in valid projections of system transport times, costs, inventory levels, energy usage, standards, and quality control measures. A discussion of logistics is followed by examples of progressively complex logistics transportation simulations and models. Results of a moderately detailed performance-based simulation of high speed trains for the Texas Triangle are used to demonstrate the fallacy of assuming “average” performance measures. Future logistics studies will require detailed vehicle performance simulations using sound mechanical engineering practice, requiring interdisciplinary teams which include mechanical engineers.