An Adaptive Dynamic Scheduling Policy for the Integrated Optimization Problem in Automated Transshipment Hubs

This study considers the multi-period dynamic integrated optimization problem in automated transshipment hubs, which includes berth allocation, quay crane assignment, and yard assignment problems. The planner needs to determine the berth and storage schedule in real-time. In the previous literature, the scholars always assume that all of the required information, especially the arrival time and operation time of vessels, is accessible prior to making any design decisions, and formulate the problem into an integrated model. However, the information of vessels is updated dynamically and changed frequently. Therefore, we consider a problem in a dynamic setting that decisions are made in each period and the scenario at each period depends on the decisions in previous periods. We formulate the problem into a multi-objective model, which aims to maximize total revenue, saved time deviation, saved transportation distance, and service quality. An efficient adaptive dynamic scheduling policy is developed, which adaptively balances the trade-offs between multiple objectives. Through numerical experiments, we demonstrate that our approach presents solutions with a delicate balance between multiple objectives and brings value to the automated container terminals compared to benchmark policies. Note to Practitioners—Automated technologies have brought great opportunities for container terminals. While the construction of an automated container terminal requires enormous investment. Utilizing the resources of container terminals reasonably and efficiently can improve the operation efficiency and economic performance of automated container terminals. In practice, the scheduling of resources in container terminals always encounters uncertain factors. Therefore, this study proposes a dynamic integrated optimization policy for resources in automated container terminals to balance the trade-offs between multiple objectives given any pre-determined target in a dynamic environment.

I. Introduction

The container terminal is a representative logistics facility of modern trade [1], [2], [3]. As the number of containers and ships continues to increase, port management and resource scheduling are facing new challenges. The development and employment of automated technologies brought new opportunities for container terminals. The automation of container terminals can reduce the labor cost, while the construction of automated container terminals requires an enormous investment. Therefore, it is important and urgent for port managers to seek high operating efficiency through effective scheduling strategies. Currently, more and more practices and scholars have begun to pay attention to studying how to use limited resources to improve the efficiency and productivity of container terminals. At present, berths, quay cranes (QCs), and yards are the three most important limited resources in a container terminal, attracting extensive and in- depth research [4].