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Contact:

Fº Javier Ruiz de Munain

Ikerlan

Contact details:

fjruizmunain@ikerlan.es

(+34) 943 712400

2004/3/15

Traffic system controller for intermodal transport

This automatic system for transport, developed under the auspices of the European Assap-one project, is a solution that enables a port container terminal to expand by means of a specific rail link to an internal or peripheral terminal (inland container terminal).

The system consists of a fleet of automatic vehicles for which IKERLAN has developed traffic system controllers that resolve the automation of the transport of containers between the two terminals in real time, thus reducing the number of containers at the maritime port to that necessary for its continuous daily functioning.

The complexity and extent of the Assap-one transport system makes the in situ testing of the controller nonviable and, as an alternative, a simulator developed by IKERLAN has been used with the capacity of combining the simulated behaviour of vehicles, cranes and the linking rail junctions in the port area with that of the real controllers, a simulation that enables the testing of its correct functioning as well as an optimisation of the algorithm controls which are the basis to achieve a constant flow of 1,200 containers daily between two terminals.