Green vehicle technology to enhance the performance of a European port: a simulation model with a cost-bene t approach

In this paper, we study the impact of using a new intelligent vehicle technology on the performance and total cost of a European port, in comparison with existing vehicle systems like trucks. Intelligent autonomous vehicles (IAVs) are a new type of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) with better maneuverability and a special ability to pick up/drop o containers by themselves. To identify the most economical eet size for each type of vehicle to satisfy the port's performance target, and also to compare their impact on the performance/cost of container terminals, we developed a discrete-event simulation model to simulate all port activities in micro-level (low-level) details. We also developed a cost model to investigate the present values of using two types of vehicle, given the identi ed eet size. Results of using the di erent types of vehicles * Corst authors. These authors contributed equally to this work. 1. Corresponding author at: Liverpool Logistics, O shore and Marine Research Institute, School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK Email address: [email protected]