The aim of this research project is, to develop throughput diagrams and logistic operating curves for gantry cranes as a basis for model-based control on transshipment terminals. Based on this, the research project will develop a suitable system to plan and control truck arrivals. The project will be implemented in an interdisciplinary way in cooperation with the Institute of Production Management and Technology (IPMT) and the Institute of Maritime Logistics (MLS).

The transport sector is the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany, emitting around 20% of CO₂. A large proportion of this is attributable to freight transport by truck. The combination of road, waterway and rail transport modes, which often consists of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has the potential to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. However, combined transport is often not competitive today due to higher transport times and costs. The main reason for this is the time lost and costs incurred for transshipment at the terminals. A low proportion of direct transshipments and at the same time long and unproductive waiting times for trucks are mainly caused by inadequate logistical planning and control, especially of the gantry cranes as central working systems.

Accordingly, the aim of the project is, on the one hand, to develop throughput diagrams and logistic operating curves for gantry cranes as a basis for model-based control at cargo handling terminals. On the other hand, a suitable system is to be developed in the project to plan and control truck arrivals.

The work plan provides for,

1. to record reference processes at cargo handling terminals and to derive basic definitions of order types and timeshares,

2. to model logistic operating curves and basic interdependencies for cargo handling terminals,

3. to derive a procedure for scheduling and capacity planning from the models,

4. to prototype a simple monitoring as well as utilization and booking system.

This system should be tailored to the many SME cargo handling terminals and have only comparatively simple requirements in terms of data needs, software systems, and handling. SMEs can use the models and the access management system to reduce truck waiting times, increase the share of direct transshipments, and improve turnaround time and reliability of ship and train handling.

The Industrial Collective Research project „Betriebskennlinien für Portalkrane – Analyse der Leistungsfähigkeit von Umschlagterminals zur Steuerung der LKW-Ankünfte“ (22590 N) of the research association Bundesvereinigung Logistik e.V. is funded by

in the scope of the Industrial Collective Research project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.