A metamodelling approach for performance evaluation of intermodal transportation networks

The paper proposes a metamodelling procedure devoted to provide a reference model to be used by decision makers in the performance evaluation of Intermodal Transportation Network (ITN). In order to obtain a generic model describing a nonspecific ITN from the structural and behavioural point of view, the metamodelling approach consists in applying a top down and modular procedure. The model is specified by the well-known Unified Modelling Language (UML), a graphic and textual modelling formalism intended to describe systems from structural and dynamics viewpoints. Hence, the paper models a generic ITN starting from the network description and shows by a case study the metamodel of one of the most important nodes that compose it: the port subsystem. Moreover, the case study model is translated in a simulation software and the performance measures obtained by the simulation results are shown.

[1]  C. Feng,et al.  The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Logistics Management , 2006 .

[2]  Jinghua Xu,et al.  Enterprise-wide freight simulation in an integrated logistics and transportation system , 2003, Proceedings of the 2003 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[3]  Johan Woxenius.  Alternative transport network designs and their implications for intermodal transhipment technologies , 2007 .

[4]  Randall P. Sadowski,et al.  Simulation with Arena , 1998 .

[5]  L. Amodeo,et al.  Modeling, Analysis, and Optimization of Logistics Systems Petri Net Based Approaches , 2006, 2006 International Conference on Service Systems and Service Management.

[6]  G. A. Giannopoulos,et al.  The application of information and communication technologies in transport , 2004, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[7]  Walter Ukovich,et al.  The impact of ICT on intermodal transportation systems: A modelling approach by Petri nets , 2010 .

[8]  Per Olof Arnäs.  Heterogeneous goods in transportation systems , 2007 .

[9]  N. Viswanadham,et al.  Analysis of Manufacturing Enterprises , 2000, The International Series on Discrete Event Dynamic Systems.

[10]  P O Arnaes.  Heterogeneous goods in transportation systems: a study on the uses of an object-oriented approach , 2007 .

[11]  Angela Di Febbraro,et al.  A petri net modelling approach of intermodal terminals based on Metrocargo system , 2006, 2006 IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Conference.

[12]  Won Young Yun,et al.  A simulation model for container-terminal operation analysis using an object-oriented approach , 1999 .

[13]  Johan Woxenius,et al.  Modelling approaches to operational decision-making in freight transport chains , 2006 .

[14]  Michel Bigand,et al.  An UML approach for the metamodelling of automated production systems for monitoring purpose , 2004, Comput. Ind..

[15]  Russ Miles,et al.  Learning UML 2.0 , 2006 .

[16]  Yoshitomo Ikkai,et al.  An autonomous distributed information system for logistics control with data carriers , 2003, IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, 2003.

[17]  Peter Kemper,et al.  MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF A FREIGHT TERMINAL WITH STOCHASTIC PETRI NETS. , 2000 .

[18]  Yuri Merkuryev,et al.  Design of UML models and their simulation using ARENA , 2008 .

[19]  Walter Ukovich,et al.  A Metamodeling Approach to the Management of Intermodal Transportation Networks , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering.