A flexible interface and architecture for container and intermodal freight simulations

SIMCAP (Simulation-based Capacity Analysis Platform) is a simulation-based software tool designed to support analysis of intermodal terminal operation, specifically with respect to track capacity and yard capacity. The application was designed with a modular, extensible software architecture with an emphasis on capturing the primary complexities that exist in an actual intermodal terminal. SIMCAP is not just a simulation model, but a modeling system that comprises several interacting software components. Each component represents a functional aspect of facility operations allowing for future implementations of terminals with different equipment, layout, and procedures to be more readily adapted without major coding revisions. The ability to analyze terminal designs with alternate track layouts, equipment configurations, and varying demand requirements was of paramount importance when designing and developing SIMCAP. The first implementation of the SIMCAP paradigm was developed for Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad; it was successfully used to analyze capacity during a peak period at an existing intermodal terminal. It is planned to further use the tool to compare terminal performance as proposed infrastructure changes are made.