A GIS-based information sharing infrastructure for container port logistics using data mining and visual technology

Owing to advances of container port logistics in today’s globalized economy, the competitive edge of container ports has shifted to information management paradigm for the purpose of cost- and time-efficiency. However, an effective yet systematic information sharing strategy, in terms of information acquisition, processing, communication, storage, display and analysis, has not been well addressed. In order to resolve this impact, a novel logistics information system, i.e. a GIS-based information-sharing infrastructure, is postulated and established based on the closed-loop control modeling. In details, it comprises three interacting modules, namely input module, output module and feedback module. In the input module, the GIS-based logistics information is first acquired and processed, and then stored in a database. Subsequently, the information is analyzed and displayed via the output module. As for the feedback module, the information is consequently fed back to adjust some indices, so as to adapt to the entire system optimization and coordination. On account of sharing information through this infrastructure, an in-depth strategy is developed to integrate data mining and visualization using such as virtual reality (VR) and analysis tool-kits. Finally, a case study on Tianjing Container Port is used to illustrate and validate this approach. It is accordingly envisaged that the proposed GIS-based information-sharing infrastructure can effectively facilitate and expedite the container port operation process.