Performance of a freight platform equipped with automated handling units. Analysis thought an optimization model

Abstract

Automation should help the freight platforms to be more competitive and sustainable. The automatic handling units (AHUs) allow to speed up the freight handling operations by eliminating time wasters, increasing safety, and also allowing for a reduction in traditional labour; but they require continuous monitoring and intelligent management entrusted to specialized personnel. The use of AHUs is also seen positively from an energy and environmental sustainability point of view.The paper focuses on a smart organizational and functional structure of a freight platform equipped with automated handling vehicles. The study proposes the mathematical formulation of an optimization model that aims to minimize the operating times of handling goods in a logistics platform through the introduction of fully automatic vehicles that replace traditional systems. So, this article concerns the scientific lock of automatic and optimized fleet management of AHU. It is a question of proposing a routing of this kind of smart vehicle fleet without blockages that allow regularly submitted missions to be carried out.