Operation Research On Internal Logistics Networks Of Container Terminals

With the development of logistics operation and the ever drastic competition, more and more customers call for the "door to door" transportation services in which the seamless transportation service is the cornerstone. Since container terminal is one of the important parts in transportation chains, its operational logistics efficiency greatly affects the efficiencies of the system. In order to keep up with the development of the logistics, the operators of container terminals should execute the following practices to improve the resource utilization and reduce the mean turnaround time of cargos:? To optimize the resource allocation for the internal logistics networks of container terminals.? To reinforce the rationality of the equipment scheduling.? To improve the information system for the internal logistics networks of container terminals.Furthermore, facing the fierce competition and the increasing container throughput, the managers have to take measures to optimize the resource allocation and reduce the operational cost so as to enhance the operational efficiency of internal logistics networks of container terminals.Under such circumstances, the dissertation has studied the operations of internal logistics networks of container terminals both qualitatively and quantitatively. A theoretical framework about this problem is presented.Firstly, the internal logistics operations are described in terms of logistics networks, which provide a new way for container terminal operators to enhance the operational efficiencies and reduce the running cost. An examination is made systemically on the internal logistics networks of container terminals, which includes the elements, characteristics, hierarchical structures, and the contents of internal logistics networks.Secondly, the mathematical and simulative theories about queuing networks are systemically studied in this dissertation. The important theorems, formulas and methodologies about the mathematical queuing networks are expatiated. Examples are presented to demonstrate these mathematical queuing networks theories. A simulationmodel is established to study queuing networks. The model is validated by comparing with the results obtained from Burke theorem. Further more, the dissertation makes a breakthrough in the traditional queuing constraint conditions which require that the inter-arrivals follow Poisson distribution and the service lime obeys exponential distribution, and studies the queuing networks mathematically under general conditions with simulation technology, under which the inter-arrivals are based on normal, Erlang, uniform and exponential distributions respectively, and the service time assumed to be normal, Erlang, uniform and exponential distributions.Thirdly, this dissertation is the first to study the nodes allocation of the internal logistics networks of container terminals using the mathematical and simulative queuing network models . Three mathematical queuing network models are given for different operational situations. One is the tandem queuing network model for nodes allocation of OILNCT (the operational internal logistics networks of container terminals) under the "single-crane oriented" condition; the other two, based on closed and Jackson queuing network models, are for nodes allocation of OILNCT under the "multi-crane oriented" conditions. Other three simulation models are built up for OILNCT under the aforesaid two conditions as well as for the SINLNCT (the strategic internal logistics network conditions). The logic relations among events, the input and output parameters and the validation of the simulation models were illustrated. When the analytic relative deviation of quay cranes utility is less than 10%, the tandem queuing network model can be applied to the nodes allocation of OILNCT under the "single-crane oriented" condition, and the closed queuing network model can be used for the nodes allocation of OILNCT under the "multi-crane oriented" condition regardless of the arrival of external trucks. Although the anal...