Simulation based optimization for the loading-unloading strategies of railway container terminal

It is difficult to build a mathematical model for a railway container terminal because its complexity and randomicity. A simulation based optimization(SBO) algorithm is adopted to search optimal solution on deployment of equipments and the loading-unloading strategies in the railway container terminal, where simulation model is combined with GA. The defiition of suppositional evaluation is presented which helps to decrease computing time. To compute fitness quickly and distribute the computing resource rationally, methods of case retrieval and adjusting time step and simulating times are used. All of these make the algorithm not only decrease the computing time evidently but also have the ability to gain satisfied solutions. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated by a simulation of loading-unloading operation in a railway container terminal. Finally, optimal loading-unloading strategies are analyzed and compared.