A
Publish and Present
Yu (Alan) Zhang, PhD, P.E.
Sr. Port and Transportation Engineer
Moffatt & Nichol
Costa Mesa, California
Rebeca Aguilar
Project Manager
Moffatt & Nichol
Gerardo Lazcano
Chief of Logistic Projects Unit
Port of Valparaiso
This paper summarizes our recent experience in the use of discrete event simulation software to evaluate the performance of a multi-commodity and multi-modal port system located in Valparaiso, Chile. The project objective was to develop an effective tool to best evaluate the port system, improve system efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and help decision makers prioritize projects in support of a growing local economy and population.
FlexTerm discrete event simulation models were developed to study port logistics systems and the dynamic interactions of their various components and cargo types as an integrated whole. The existing port system model was calibrated with the observed data, and then extended to study future planned improvements and determine the system capacity.
With the calibrated model, interesting questions may be answered, such as:
• What is the capacity of the entire port system, considering those interactions?
• With the planned projects, how much additional capacity can the port achieve and what is the optimal phasing for implementation?
• Is the planned rail yard operation feasible, and how much equipment will be needed to support the target demand?
• Where are the system bottlenecks and how can they be mitigated?
The work demonstrated that a well-developed and calibrated simulation model can be a valuable tool to evaluate and optimize a complex port system and support making critical decisions.