Valentina Boschian

A Metamodeling Approach to the Management of Intermodal Transportation Networks

The paper specifies an Integrated System (IS) devoted to the management of Intermodal Transportation Networks (ITNs) to take both tactical decisions, i.e., in an offline mode, and operational decisions, i.e., in real-time. Both the resulting IS structures rely on a closed-loop approach that is able to tune the choices with the current system conditions. In either case, the core of the presented IS are a reference model and a simulation module. In particular, the reference model uses information from the real system, obtained by modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the simulation module evaluates the impact of the management decisions. In order to obtain a systematic model suitable to describe a generic ITN, the paper proposes a metamodeling approach that describes in a thorough and detailed way the structure and the behavior of ITNs. Moreover, the metamodeling procedure is a top-down technique based on the well-known Unified Modeling Language (UML), a graphic and textual formalism able to describe systems from structural and behavioral viewpoints. In order to show the IS application at the tactical decision level, the paper specifies the IS for an ITN case study that is constituted by the port of Trieste (Italy) and the inland terminal of Gorizia (Italy). The results show how the IS can improve the performance of the ITN by applying ICT tools and information-based services.

A simulation based Decision Support System for logistics management

Abstract This paper deals with designing and developing a Decision Support System (DSS) that will be able to manage the flow of goods and the business transactions between a port and a dry port. An integrated DSS architecture is proposed and specified and the main components are designed on the basis of simulation and optimization modules. In order to show the use and implementation of the DSS, this work tests and analyzes the case of the area of the Trieste port and manages the export flows of freights between a dry port and a seaport. An integrated approach is designed mainly at tactical and operational decision level exploiting simulation and optimization approaches and especially metaheuristic approaches.

Using Information and Communication Technologies in Intermodal Freight Transportation: A case study

The paper focuses on the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to the real-time transport monitoring in order to trace and automate specific procedures as payments and customs clearance operations. In particular, a case study, that represents an example of Intermodal Freight Transportation (IFT) system, is analyzed and simulated. The flow of goods and information involved in this case study is described in order to highlight the improvements reached by using ICT solutions. A simulation model for this system is proposed by the UML formalism and the discrete event simulation results point out the huge impact of ICT on real-time management and operations of IFT systems.

Business Models for Advanced ICT in Logistics

This scientific work explains how ICT together with an innovative business approach may enhance supply chains. The presented results derive from the application of a novel methodology developed to study the evolution of the business models of different business actors belonging to a business ecosystem focused on co-modal logistics networks. Each type of actors is pursuing its own value system on the basis of the key elements that identify and characterize the nature of its activities and business. The focus of the business models is on the key elements that characterize the value-creation links between the involved actors in the proposed Logistics Reference Value Chain. The presented work focuses on broadening and exploring the traditional concepts of business models showing their evolution when considering the future business environment. Two cases studies are presented to show in practical terms the evolution of the business models of the involved logistics actors in a business ecosystem and to present concrete examples from industries.

New consensus protocols for networks with discrete time dynamics

The paper introduces a new class of consensus protocols to reach the agreement in networks of agents with a discrete time dynamics. In order to guarantee the convergence of the proposed algorithms, some general results are proved in the framework of non negative matrix theory. In addition, numerous numerical experiments show that the proposed iterative schemes enjoy good rate of convergence even in the cases in which the standard iterative algorithms do not exhibit good performances.

A metamodeling technique for managing Intermodal Transportation Networks

The paper specifies an Integrated System (IS) devoted to efficient management and control of Intermodal Transportation Networks (ITN). The IS is designed to take both tactical decisions, in an off-line mode, and operational decisions, in real time. Both the resulting IS structures rely on a closed loop approach tuning decisions with the current system conditions. In either case, the IS core is a reference model using information from the real system, obtained by modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools, for ITN efficient planning and management purposes. To obtain a systematic model suitable to describing generic ITN, the reference model relies on a metamodeling approach that allows the thorough and detailed description of the ITN structure and behavior. The proposed metamodeling procedure is a top-down approach based on the Unified Modeling Language, a graphic and textual formalism for representing systems structure and behavior.

New consensus algorithms based on a positive splitting approach

The paper proposes new consensus protocols for the agreement problem in networks of agents with a discrete time model. A new class of consensus algorithms is introduced on the basis of the positive splitting of the standard iteration matrix. In the framework of non negative matrix theory, some results are proved to guarantee the convergence of the proposed algorithms. In addition, numerous numerical experiments show that the proposed iterative schemes enjoy good rate of convergence even in the cases in which the standard iterative algorithms do not guarantee good performances.

Metaheuristic approaches for scheduling the Trieste-Fernetti pickup and delivery service

Abstract This work presents two metaheuristic optimization methods that are designed and developed to assist a shuttle service process for the case of the port of Trieste and the dry-port of Fernetti. The process is applied on simulated, yet realistic data, gathered in the context of the SAIL Marie Curie Project corresponding to probable operational every-day scenarios. The results suggest that a satisfactory solution can be achieved with more than one metaheuristic optimizers, providing a valuable tool to the personnel for handling container flow.

A Simulation Model for Product Lifecycle Management

Abstract Product lifecycle management (PLM) is a systematic, controlled concept for managing and developing products and product related information. The aim of the paper is contributing in the definition of a software tool suitable to tackle this important issue. In order to specify a simulation module that is the core of an integrated PLM platform, we analyze and describe by the Unified Modeling Language (UML) the processes that are relevant for the generic PLM concepts. Moreover, the UML activities diagrams are translated in a discrete event simulation model in order to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the PLM system and to detect possible blockings or bottlenecks. Finally, a simulation study illustrates the efficiency of the module and shows how it can help in the PLM application.

Synchronization of Material and Information Flows in Intermodal Freight Transport: An Industrial Case Study

Globalization of manufacturing has caused an increase of locations with common markets and customers resulting in harder competition for each of the involved actors. Furthermore, each company has to operate in an increasingly dynamic market and sourcing situation which again lead to complex logistic networks. Some of the main problems affecting freight transportation on a global scale are logistic processes that are characterized by limited information on goods movements. Despite several attempts from large logistic operators and supply chain leaders, the largest majority of goods still moves without accompanying information in electronic form. According to a survey sponsored by Wolters Kluwer (“What It Costs to Manage Collaborative Logistics”, Eye For Transport Research Services, November 2005.), 62% of the carriers are handling call-off management manually, while 90% of the communication on rush orders is handled via phone or fax. This has a negative impact both on logistic efficiency and on safety and security. Furthermore, inefficient handling of the cargo and accompanying documentation hampers the take up of intermodal and combined transport, thus limiting the possibility to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. In this article it will be discussed how necessary concepts and technological solutions need to look like in order to overcome such barriers as well as which impacts this might have on the efficiency and overall performance. The results are discussed for their applicability in a pilot case.