Improvement of Container Terminal Productivity with Knowledge about Future Transport Modes: A Theoretical Agent-Based Modelling Approach

Despite all the achievements in improving container terminal performance in terms of equipment and container stacking systems (CSS), terminal operators are still facing several challenges. One of these challenges is the lack of information about further transportation modes of the container, which leads to extra movements of the container inside the stacking area. Hence, we aimed to examine factors that affect container handling processes and to evaluate a container terminal’s overall equipment effectiveness. This study used data from a container terminal at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. An agent-based model was developed based on a block-stacking strategy to investigate two scenarios: (1) having information about further transportation modes and (2) a base scenario. The Overall Equipment Effectiveness Index (OEE) was also adopted to evaluate the container terminal’s effectiveness in both scenarios. Results showed that having information on further transportation mode significantly increased the container outflow, and the OEE index improved compared to the base scenario’s results. Therefore, we recommend an integrated data-sharing system where all the stakeholders can share their information with no fear of losing their market share.

Systemic Agent-Based Modeling and Analysis of Passenger Discretionary Activities in Airport Terminals

Discretionary activities such as retail, food, and beverages generate a significant amount of non-aeronautical revenue within the aviation industry. However, they are rarely taken into account in computational airport terminal models. Since discretionary activities affect passenger flow and global airport terminal performance, discretionary activities need to be studied in detail. Additionally, discretionary activities are influenced by other airport terminal processes, such as check-in and security. Thus, discretionary activities need to be studied in relation to other airport terminal processes. The aim of this study is to analyze discretionary activities in a systemic way, taking into account interdependencies with other airport terminal processes and operational strategies used to manage these processes. An agent-based simulation model for airport terminal operations was developed, which covers the main handling processes and passenger decision-making with discretionary activities. The obtained simulation results show that operational strategies that reduce passenger queue time or increase passenger free time can significantly improve global airport terminal performance through efficiency, revenue, and cost.

Acquisition of a Joystick-Operated Video Task by Pigs (Sus scrofa)

The ability of two Panepinto micro pigs and two Yorkshire pigs (Sus scrofa) to acquire a joystick-operated video-game task was investigated. Subjects were trained to manipulate a joystick that controlled movement of a cursor displayed on a computer monitor. The pigs were required to move the cursor to make contact with three-, two-, or one-walled targets randomly allocated for position on the monitor, and a reward was provided if the cursor collided with a target. The video-task acquisition required conceptual understanding of the task, as well as skilled motor performance. Terminal performance revealed that all pigs were significantly above chance on first attempts to contact one-walled targets (p < 0.05). These results indicate that despite dexterity and visual constraints, pigs have the capacity to acquire a joystick-operated video-game task. Limitations in the joystick methodology suggest that future studies of the cognitive capacities of pigs and other domestic species may benefit from the use of touchscreens or other advanced computer-interfaced technology.

Damage Evaluation of Ballistic Gelatin Penetrated by Rigid Bullets

Introduction Terminal performance of a bullet in the human body is critical for the treatment of the wounded person and the optimization of the bullet. The effects of the initial velocity and the initial attack angle of the bullet on the terminal performance needs to be investigated.Methods Ballistic gelatin was used to simulate the human body. Rigid 7.62 mm rifle bullets were fired into the gelatin blocks. The damaged gelatin was analyzed using the proposed expansion method. Relations between the damaged gelatin and the initial velocity, the initial attack angle were obtained using the fitting method.Results The damaged gelatin block could be divided into two parts: the less damaged part and the severely damaged part. The length of the less damaged part depends mostly on the initial attack angle. The average damaged area of this part depends on both the initial attack angle and the initial velocity. The cracks contribute significantly to the total volume of damaged gelatin, particularly when the expansion becomes larger than 1.9 mm. The total damaged gelatin increases with the initial velocity, the initial attack angle and the expansion extent. The increasing rate may diminish if the contribution of the cracks to the damaged gelatin is ignored. Conclusions The expansion method is suitable to investigate the influences of factors of the bullet on the terminal performances. The characteristics of the damaged gelatin have a linear relationship with the initial attack angle and the initial velocity of the bullet.

Performance of the Semarang Container Terminal

The number of container boxes handled at the container terminal dynamically fluctuates as a function of a number of parameters. The most prominent variables influencing are the Economics’ National Program, the location and trading characteristics of the terminal, and the land use programs of hinterlands. Further, it is one terminal could serve more than one quay simultaneously. This research was conducted in order to determine the optimal performance of container terminals, along with the utilities to the increase in container terminal services Semarang. The results are expected to reveal the existing problems related to the services of a container terminal, especially regarding the following matters: review and develop performance indicators container terminals that is optimized especially for Semarang container terminal (TPKS), knowing the performance level of the container terminal at TPKS utility, and knowing the number of containers optimal service units, ranging from dock to yard container based on the rate of arrival of containers in TPKS. The research methodology used in this study is as follows: conducting a literature study/library, in order to obtain an overview of problems faced by the Semarang container terminal (TPKS), data collection related to the performance of container terminal, processing and analyzing research data to obtain a technical description of the various parameters needed in evaluating the Container Terminal Performance Indicators, Optimal Value of the service unit loading and unloading containers, ships and goods flow forecasting, producing Container Terminal Performance Indicators, formulate conclusions and recommendations from the results obtained in the performance evaluation process and service optimization Container Terminal loading and unloading of containers. The container terminal performance is an important indicator to evaluate the operational continuity and smoothness, in fulfilling its major function in serving the transportation mechanism of goods. One method to evaluate the container terminal performance is to observe the service level and utility of this terminal. From the evaluation’s results, a program to improve and to enhance the service levels for the future could be designed. The methodological approach accessed in this research work includes BOR (Berth Occupancy Ratio) data collecting, data processing and analysis using multiple methods, and producing a conclusion. The results are also to typical research topics. The study yielded in a BOR for the period till 2015 based on a BOR mooring of 34 - 45 percent. The benefits of this research can be used to improve container terminal performance.