Integrated scheduling optimization of AGV and double yard cranes in automated container terminals

Xiaoju Zhang, Huijuan Li and Jiuh-Biing Sheu

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, 2024, vol. 179, issue C

Abstract: Double yard cranes in one yard block refer to two yard cranes that run in different rails and can pass each other. They can both reach to the seaside and landside of the yard blocks. But interference between the double yard cranes occurs during picking up or putting down containers, which has to be solved when assigning tasks to the double yard cranes. AGVs assignment have also to be considered when scheduling yard cranes. This paper focuses on the integrated optimization of AGV and double yard cranes in automated container terminals, aiming to increase terminal efficiency through the coordination of multiple sub-operations. A mixed integer programming model is developed, which considers the interference of the double yard cranes. The objective is to minimize the completion time of all the tasks. To solve the problem, a branch and bound (B&B) based method is designed. Specifically, a heuristic algorithm is used to assign container tasks to AGVs, and B&B method is utilized to assign container tasks to double yard cranes. This paper derives pruning strategies and acceleration strategies based on model analysis to improve the efficiency of the algorithm. The effectiveness and validity of the proposed model and algorithm is verified through small-scale and large-scale experiments. Results are compared with that of commercial solver Gurobi.

Keywords: Automated container terminal; Double yard cranes; Integrated scheduling optimization; B&B-PSO algorithm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191261523001960
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:transb:v:179:y:2024:i:c:s0191261523001960

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/supportfaq.cws_home/regional
https://shop.elsevie ... _01_ooc_1&version=01

DOI: 10.1016/j.trb.2023.102871

Access Statistics for this article

Transportation Research Part B: Methodological is currently edited by Fred Mannering

More articles in Transportation Research Part B: Methodological from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().