Dynamic Freight Traffic Simulation Providing Real - Time Information

The paper describes a prototype Dynamic Freight Traffic Simulation model called DyFTS, constructed for studying the effects of highly developed information technologies and logistic strategies on freight transportation. DyFTS is designed as a highly adaptable system that can be easily embedded into a more comprehensive transportation simulation model. Various decision-making processes are formulated, such as goods-to-vehicle assignment, departure time choice and pre-trip routing, and en-route vehicle redirection. As part of the modeling system, descriptive realtime information for the network is simulated to study the influence of such information on freight transportation. A knowledge-based learning process is established to refine the perceptions of decision-makers to the transportation network based on past experience. Numerical examples are designed to compare a set of freight movements operating both with and without the aid of real-time information, as such freight operations vary according to different delivery time requirements and using different fleet configurations.