Methodologies for reducing truck turn time at marine container terminals.

Details

• Creators:
  Huynh, Nathan N. ; Walton, C. Michael
• Corporate Creators:
  University of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation Research
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Container terminals
  • Container handling
  • Terminal operations
  • Truck traffic
  • Intermodal yards
  • Cranes
  • Scheduling
  • Methodology
  • Simulation
  • Turnaround time
• Publication/ Report Number:
  SWUTC/05/167830-1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  Southwest Region University Transportation Center (U.S.)
• Abstract:
  One of the prominent issues container terminal operators in the US are seeking to address is how to effectively ; reduce truck turn time. Historically, truck turn time has received very little attention from terminal operators because port ; congestion has never been a barrier to their operations. However, with the recent explosive growth in containerized trade, ; terminals are straining to accommodate the truck traffic that moves through them. The heavy intermodal truck traffic is not ; only causing problems for terminal operators but for the public as well. The emissions from idling trucks are a hazard to ; people working and living in and around the terminals. With containerized trade volume expected to double in the next ten ; years, the problems associated with port congestion could get worse if measures are not taken to address the source of the ; problems. ; Terminals in some areas of the US are now required by state law to expedite the flow of trucks through their ; terminals. In California, any truck that idles for more than thirty minutes will result in a $250 fine to the terminal operator. ; This law has prompted terminal operators to look for ways to move trucks through their terminals faster, not just to avoid ; paying the fine, but also to lower the inland transportation cost of shipping a container via their terminals to remain ; competitive. ; This research investigates the two measures terminal operators are taking to reduce their terminals’ truck turn ; time. The first measure is investing in additional yard cranes to facilitate the handling of containers. To this end, this ; research seeks to assist terminal operators in deciding whether or not to make the investment. Statistical and simulation ; methodologies are developed to better understand the availability of yard cranes versus truck turn time. The second ; measure is implementing a truck appointment system to regulate the number of trucks into the terminal. To this end, this ; research seeks to assist terminal operators in evaluating the consequences of limiting truck arrivals into the terminals. ; Furthermore, this research develops a methodology to assist terminal operators in implementing the truck appointment ; system, should they decided to have one.
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• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  10727
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/29635/dot_29635_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.60 MB]
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers ; US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f97f76133c5f1f06c1e6b5343aaeaf81eb4c466a3e96f457fe970f6fa98bdc2aaf659e4244fb11e7496bb3f19687c7df7ce3810f20c849bf7c958c8a621e503e