Modeling interfaces of hinterland transportation and marine logistics in optimizing ocean container terminal efficiency

研究的主要目的是加深对可用于提高集装箱码头物流效率的措施的了解。最直接的利益是那些与CT的业务和CT边界外土地上的运输业务之间的联系有关的举措（即，CT腹地）。工作性质/成果大部分工作将涉及设计、建造和研究现代集装箱码头的计算机模拟模型。使用有效的计算机模拟模型将使研究人员能够针对两个广泛的结果进行广泛而深入的实验：（a）衡量许多潜在的提高效率倡议的效力和（B）澄清CT的细节如何影响特定倡议可能产生的净效益。这些结果背后的关键问题的三个具体例子是：（一）对于一定水平的内陆卡车运输公司遵守在CT收集和/或交付集装箱的约定，物流效率可能下降的百分比是多少？(ii)通过对CT和内陆货运公司的业务产生影响，提前通知船舶延迟到达会在多大程度上改变效率？(iii)内陆货运公司之间在给定的运营合作水平下，物流效率可能提高的百分比是多少（例如，通过共享集装箱和/或车辆进行协作）？工作的重要性通过解决上述问题，研究将扩展CT操作和后勤的知识体系。提出这些问题对该领域很重要，因为（a）缺乏答案代表了研究文献中的主要空白，（B）这些问题代表了与CT的后勤效率有利害关系的各方的重要性;即，利益相关者，如海运公司、港口运营商、内陆货运公司和政府机构。鉴于贸易技术中心在国际供应链中的中心地位，这项工作对加拿大的重要性突出体现在该国希望作为通过这些供应链流动的贸易的不可或缺的参与者而繁荣。持续实现这一愿望将对加拿大人的日常生活产生积极影响，但这需要高度优先重视不断提高加拿大CT的后勤效率。为此，研究目标与加拿大在国际供应链竞技场的目标之一是一致的。

Purpose of the work The central purpose of the research is to deepen knowledge of initiatives that can be deployed to enhance the logistical efficiency of container terminals (CTs). The initiatives of most direct interest are those that relate to the link between a CT’s operations and transportation operations on lands just outside a CT’s boundary (i.e., the CT hinterland area). Nature/outcomes of the work The bulk of the work to be done will involve designing, building, and studying computer simulation models of modern container terminals. Working with valid computer simulation models will enable the research personnel to conduct extensive and intensive experiments targeted at two broad outcomes: (a) gauging the efficacy of many potential efficiency-enhancing initiatives and (b) clarifying how the particulars of a CT affect the net benefit that a given initiative is likely to produce. Three specific examples of the key questions underlying those outcomes are: (i) What is the likely percentage drop in logistical efficiency for a given level of hinterland trucking firm compliance with appointments to collect and/or deliver containers at the CT? (ii) By how much will early notification of delayed ship arrivals change efficiency through the resulting impacts on operations by the CT and by hinterland trucking firms? (iii) What is the likely percentage rise in logistical efficiency for a given level of operational collaboration among hinterland trucking firms (e.g., collaborate by sharing containers and/or vehicles)? Importance of the work By addressing questions such as those stated above, the research will extend the body of knowledge on CT operations and logistics. Answering those questions is important to the field because (a) the lack of answers represents major gaps in the research literature and (b) those questions typify what matters to parties with a stake in the logistical efficiency of CTs; i.e., stakeholders such as ocean carriers, port operators, hinterland trucking firms, and government agencies. Given the centrality of CTs in international supply chains, the work’s importance to Canada is underscored by the nation’s wish to prosper as an indispensable participant in trade that flows through those supply chains. Sustained fulfillment of that wish will positively impact the daily lives of Canadians but it requires that a high priority be placed on continuously improving the logistical efficiency of Canada’s CTs. To this end, the research aims are consistent with one of Canada’s aims in the international supply chain arena.