Comparative Analysis of Train Departure Strategies in a Container Shipment

Alessia Giulianetti, Marco Gotelli and Anna Sciomachen ()
Additional contact information
Alessia Giulianetti: Department of Economics and Business Studies, University of Genoa, via Vivaldi 5, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Marco Gotelli: Department of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transport Engineering, University of Genoa, via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Anna Sciomachen: Department of Economics and Business Studies, University of Genoa, via Vivaldi 5, 16126 Genoa, Italy

Logistics, 2024, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Background : We focus on the inland rail forwarding of import containers from a marine terminal. Specifically, we present a discrete-event simulation study related to container-loading operations by train, evaluating different train departure policies within a predetermined schedule based on the capacity of the rail network. The aim is threefold: manage more containers shipped by train, improve terminal operational efficiency, and increase the rail share. Methods : The proposed procedures take full advantage of the digitization and visualization of data currently present in the terminal with the aim of improving the performance indices of interest, thereby increasing the terminal‘s operational efficiency. We evaluate the medium- and long-term impact of alternative strategies on container dwell times and the possible increase in the number of containers shipped by train. Results : The computational tests are performed with data from a terminal in the port of Genoa (Italy). The results show the relationships between train departure management policies and train departure distributions. The number of departing trains, cancelled trains, and trains departing with load percentages below 70% is studied. Average loads per train and estimated delays are also analyzed. Conclusions: It is noted that the results, which can be obtained with data from any terminal, are of great importance for optimizing operational management, offering practical solutions to improve efficiency and reduce container downtime.

Keywords: maritime logistics; container terminal; train scheduling; inland forwarding; discrete-event simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/3/92/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/8/3/92/ (text/html)

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:gam:jlogis:v:8:y:2024:i:3:p:92-:d:1480014

Access Statistics for this article

Logistics is currently edited by Ms. Mavis Li

More articles in Logistics from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().