01341203

Component

It is recognized that better yard crane scheduling could result in less waiting time for drayage trucks. This problem has been addressed by researchers using both centralized and decentralized approaches. The centralized approach employs operations research based optimization models such as integer and mixed integer programs, and the decentralized approach employs agent-based models. While both of these methods possess the potential and capability to provide near-optimal solutions, it is not clear from the literature about their strengths and weaknesses when applied to the yard crane scheduling problem and in what situations one method may be better suited than the other. To this end, this paper presents a comparative study of these two contrasting approaches to address the yard crane scheduling problem. It seeks to assess their relative performances and generate insights on their disparate features. The authors analysis shows that the centralized approach generally outperforms the decentralized approach by about 16.5% on average. The better performance by the centralized approach can be attributed to its requirement of the input data where complete and accurate information about future truck arrivals are needed. While underperforming the centralized approach, the decentralized approach offers the advantage of not requiring complete forecast of truck arrivals and it therefore can effectively and dynamically adapt to real-time changes. Other disparate features are explored and discussed in this study. Overall, the authors analysis suggests that these two approaches do not necessarily have to be alternatives. They offer complementary features that could be integrated into a hybrid approach.

01329018

11-3369

English

21p

2011

Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (4) ; References (30) ; Tables (3)

Alternatives analysis; Cranes; Decentralization; Drayage; Freight traffic; Intermodal transportation; Optimization; Planning; Port operations; Schedules and scheduling; Water transportation

Agent based models; Centralized planning; Yard crane deployment

Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2011 Paper #11-3369

TRIS, TRB

Feb 17 2011 6:29PM