Alberto Tremori

Logistics node simulator as an enabler for supply chain development: innovative portainer simulator as the assessment tool for human factors in port cranes

This paper focuses on the development of a new generation of interoperable simulators of micro activities in a logistics node; the proposed example focuses on a real-time full-scope virtual simulator of port activities able to simulate the activities of the whole port by having ships, cranes, trucks and containers interoperating in a federation. The technologies adopted in terms of architecture and installation were very effective in creating a mobile laboratory open to further extension by online interoperation with other simulators and with biomedical devices for assessing human capabilities within this framework. This approach allows us to face the existing challenges in extending the capabilities of a logistics node over their current capabilities limited by technological and human factors.

Intelligent agents driving computer generated forces for simulating human behaviour in urban riots

Over the last decade the authors have been working on several researches concerning the use of intelligent agents for managing simulation of critical situations in security, such as managing civil disorders, riots or terrorist actions. The adoption of intelligent agents to reproduce human behaviour is a key factor to implement realistic models for security and civil protection. Human behaviour is very complex to be simulated and it is important to early test final results to get consistent models. In this paper is described the use of early testing procedures to anticipate results before the VV&A phase. It is, in fact, useful to adopt this kind of early testing activities in application of intelligent agents with human behavioural models.

HLA-based real time distributed simulation of a marine port for training purposes

The research proposes critical issues related to cooperative training in a synthetic environment based on a federation of simulators operating in the same virtual world. The authors propose a real-time distributed simulation called ST-VP (simulation team virtual port simulator), for training purposes that is able to take safety and operative efficiency also into account. The simulators, installed on low-cost training workstations, cooperate and share the same virtual environment based on the high level architecture standard for distributed simulation (HLA). With this approach, it is possible to apply distributed simulation to a relevant number of entities and proceed with low-cost training sessions in cooperative operations in intermodal terminals.

Interoperable simulation for asymmetric threats in maritime scenarios: a case based on virtual simulation and intelligent agents

The research proposes an approach based on modelling and simulation (MS use of intelligent agents as driver for computer generated forces (IA_CGF) is a critical element for modelling events where many entities interact simultaneously (i.e., commercial and nautical traffic around a port).

Modeling Green Logistics

This paper propose an innovative simulation model based on web technologies devoted to analyze environmental impact of the whole supply chain. The authors developed a whole framework for collecting data from different users including good producers, logistics operators and retailers by a web questionnaire; this service is automatically integrated with a simulator that evaluate the green aspects of each case by self generating a model for this specific case and providing synthetic results; in addition the green log model developed allows to create interactively very complex supply chain. The paper propose the general architecture of the green log model and an example for supporting its validation and verification.

Simulation of an urban environment by using intelligent agents within asymmetric scenarios for assessing alternative command and control network-centric maturity models

The research proposes the development of a simulation framework for assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of different alternative command, control, communications and computers (C4) solutions in an urban environment affected by asymmetric warfare. The authors present their approach in developing intelligent agents computer-generated forces (IA-CGF) in a non-conventional framework related to the project named CGF C4 IT. In the current military context, characterized by new asymmetric threats (i.e. terrorism, biological attacks) and affected by new technologies solutions, it is critical to measure the effectiveness of different command and control (C2) maturity models involving local and coalition forces, police and other resources in an overseas urban framework. As a matter of fact, this is one of the main goals of the CGF C4 IT project which is devoted to investigating alternative C2 models for guaranteeing agility in complex scenarios. The CGF C4 IT federation is a high level architecture simulator, designed by the authors, and currently devoted to supporting Italian Army simulation capabilities. This represents an innovative and effective solution for investigating, by experimental analysis, the C2 agility concepts within a complex framework with special attention to human behavior models.

Simulation as enabling technologies for agile thinking: training and education aids for decision makers

This paper describes ongoing researches and preliminary results obtained about the potential of serious games for identification, development and education of specific soft skills. These characteristics correspond to the capability to catch at glance a solid understanding of the details in a scenario or the identification of missing elements in a set of information. This paper proposes an interdisciplinary research where expertise in modelling and simulation and serious gaming are mixed with skills in education and decision-making development. The authors’ goal is to develop a methodology and a set of games that could support decision makers to develop intuition and the capability to think and understand out of personal frameworks (Baisini et al., 2010, 2011). Preliminary experimentations are proposed by using an existing serious game ‘Sibilla’. The results are also useful to direct the research where to focus the efforts for developing ad hoc games for this very specific purpose.

Modelling Layout For Integrating Simulation, Optimization And Virtual Reality.

The aim of this research is the development of an innovative approach to support company upgrades, reorganization and new facility establishment. This approach is focused on combining layout engineering with the use of simulation and optimization; this combination is very important because allows to reorganize the whole layout and production processes and flows and to measure the results in the virtual world before making real changes. The proposed methodology is applied to a real case study: the reengineering of the production plant layout in an aerospace company moving to a new site.

Innovative models for supporting operational planning

Innovative simulation models are proposed for supporting operational planning related to civil military cooperation (CIMIC) and psychological operations (PSYOPs) within complex scenarios. The paper describes these models as well as the experimentation in situations involving crisis and conflicts (i.e., Afghanistan); these models are based on the intelligent agent computer generated forces (IA-CGF) developed by simulation team and they have been extensively used in CIMIC and planning research in complex operational realistic network (CAPRICORN) project, an initiative led by University of Genoa for European Defense Agency (EDA). The proposed models take care both of logistics and operational issues as well as of the effects on the people and interest groups; indeed the paper proposes the simulator developed to demonstrate these capabilities that include the communications among the stakeholders, the population models as well as the effects of human factors including social and cultural aspects. The paper includes experimental results based on this simulator devoted to validate and test the models in strong cooperation with final users and subject matter experts (SME); the proposed experimentation is based on design of experiment techniques including mean square pure error (MSpE) and sensitivity analysis.

An interoperable simulation framework for protecting port as critical infrastructures

The research proposes an interoperable simulation framework intended to analyse and investigate security issues in complex maritime scenarios affected by asymmetric threats (i.e., terrorist attacks). To this end, particular attention is paid on security issues related to people and goods flows within seaports. Moreover, the proposed simulation framework is addressed to decision makers and trainers and allows them to assess security procedures and policies as well as to detect the most critical factors that affect the overall system security levels. As a matter of fact, it aims at supporting training, risk analysis, review, test and certification of ports security plans. In terms of methodology, the proposed simulation framework combines different interoperable simulators, intelligent agents and data fusion techniques by using the IEEE 1516 high level architecture (HLA) standard for distributed simulation. Thus, several simulation models can be integrated in order to recreate the multiplicity of actors inv...