Abstract
Simulation-based analysis has been used for planning, control, and decision-making support of physical internet enabled logistics networks. However, multiagent modelling and simulation based on micro-level interactions have been rarely developed for the pre-studies of digital transformation of urban rail transit systems. This hinders a wider industrial deployment of agent technology in the physical internet enabled transport infrastructure. To fill in this knowledge gap, this work presents an agent-based simulation that explicitly models the micro-level protocols of mobile recourse units and their interaction with the physical infrastructure in a rail-road intermodal transport network. Parameterisation of the simulation model is changeable to examine the influences of different efficiency factors. This allows understanding of which structural functions and resource configuration would make an impact system-wide. Through a practical application, a multiagent system is developed for modelling and analysis of sustainable logistics with individually operated mobile resource units. An agent-based simulation assessment is performed to quantify the improvement options. The results reveal that the physical internet can prevent trucks from empty driving, which has a positive effect on the sustainable logistics operations. The proposed model can be used to support the deployment and planning of digital transformation that could be implemented in urban rail transit systems serving urban distribution and passenger transport.
Highlights
1.1 Intermodal Transport SystemsRail-road intermodal transport is critical for urban concentrations and exerts an influence on many essential aspects of the society
This paper examines the performance indicator changes based on the multiagent simulation before and after the implementation of the physical internet in an urban rail transit system
Intermodal transport will play a major role of urban logistics and passenger transport for the sustainable operations
Summary
Rail-road intermodal transport is critical for urban concentrations and exerts an influence on many essential aspects of the society (e.g. city attractiveness, service flexibility, and accessibility). With urban rail transit systems aimed for regional mobility and accessibility, rail-road intermodal terminals are nowadays serving traffic flows of multiple sources. These sources include urban distribution and passenger transport. The powered tractor will be towed with a carrying device, including a semi-trailer, trailer, and even trucks on the chassis of the container, and drag the carrying device filled with the goods to a new location or the destination This type of trucking operation technology with standardised containers is deployed worldwide to organise intermodal transport and has developed into a model across different transport means and modals. The improvements to efficiency and environmental impact that can be achieved by adopting a modular design of a material handling system are of interest to both freight and service providers
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