Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
W.S. Lee Minimizing the number of restack movements in a container stack (NL. Minimaliseren van het aantal verkasbewegingen in een container stack)
Computer program, Report 2007.TEL.7172, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
The number of container transshipment moves is growing continuously, because of the globalization. More container turnovers mean more handling equipment (quantity) or better performing handling equipment (quality). In this case the focus is on improving the software performance of an Automated Stacking Crane by reducing restack movements with alternative (re)stack methods.
A simulation model is made to find an alternative a (re)stack method that will reduce the amount of restack. The simulation model is programmed in an object orientated program Delphi and an open source simulation software TOMAS. Various simulation runs are done using different (re)stack methods and in different situations.
Overall the (re)stack method Remaining Stack Capacity Improved (RSC Improved) and Remaining Stack Capacity without time window (RSC no C) reduce the most restack movements. If the containers with departure information (CDI) are lower than 12%, the non CDI (re)stack methods: Random and Leveling will reduce more restack movements. The (re)stack method Restack Chance reduces the most restack movements when the stack's occupation rate is at its maximum (around 99%).
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
