FLEXIKING - Continuous adaptation of truck handling time windows through flexible artificial intelligence

The aim of the project FLEXIKING is to develop and prototype a collaborative and flexible time slot booking system. By continuously adapting existing handling slots at the transshipment point, the system should take into account changing conditions and make a dynamic adjustment of the time slot booking possible, especially in case of delays of train and ship arrivals or congestion in the roadside inflow by shifting time slots by mutual agreement.

The project is being carried out jointly by the Institute of Maritime Logistics (MLS) and other partners from the port and terminal landscape.

Project duration 01.07.2022 – 30.06.2025
Project funding Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV)
Our status Project partner
Contact persons Nicole Nellen, Derya Kara
Project partner The project consortium constits of:
 
  • TriCon Container-Terminal Nürnberg GmbH
  • cargo support Service GmbH
  • CONROO GmbH
  • Institute of Maritime Logistics (MLS)
  • Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML)
  • SGKV - Studiengesellschaft für den Kombinierten Verkehr e.V.

Description

During cargo handling between individual transport modes at seaport and hinterland terminals, high load fluctuations can often be observed during the course of the day. As a result, waiting times and congestion of trucks as well as suboptimal utilization of handling equipment can occur. In order to improve the flow, an increasing number of terminals are introducing so-called time window booking systems (ZFBS) to smooth out peak loads. However, practical experience has gradually shown that a rigid allocation of time slots does not lead to an overall optimum (optimum utilization of the terminal with minimum waiting times for the trucks). This is where the FLEXIKING project comes in. The goal is to demonstrate how a collaborative and flexible ZFBS can meet the interests of both the terminal and the trucking companies. A flexible time window booking system will be used to continuously optimize the number of handling windows at the transshipment point. At the same time, distributed artificial intelligence will enable collaborative adjustment of previously booked time slots.



 

This research project is funded by grants by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport by code 19H22003E. The authors are responsible for the contents of this publication.