The design of waiting and storage areas to improve the efficiency of the marine intermodal terminals

The correct sizing of storage areas in the port areas is aimed to optimizing the management of intermodal transport and to ensure efficiency and functionality to the entire port system. In this paper is proposed a simulation model for design the port storage areas taking into account many parameters like: the service time, the randomness of the arrivals process, the storage capacity in terms of TEU that can be stored (and handled) in the unit of time. The capacity of the terminal warehouse is determined by the interrelation between fixed and static parameters in the short period which are: i) the extension of the storage area; ii) the height of the overlapping batteries of container (defined also like number of “shooting”); iii) the means of movements; iv) a series of parameters that can vary the efficiency degree according to the operativity conditions of the terminal. The optimal level of use is achieved when it is employed approximately the 60-65% of the maximum storage capacity; it is kept in account, therefore, a tolerance necessary in order to make forehead to eventual peaks of traffic.