Smart gate model in a maritime container port: Processes, technologies and information model

Achieving an efficient process for entering maritime container terminals is a common challenge for all ports. Therefore, since their main purpose is the transaction of containers, this procedure must be fluid and continuous, with as few stops as possible, to avoid paralyzing incoming truck traffic and, consequently, jeopardize port operations. In addition, the growing digitalization of processes has created pressure on infrastructures to develop reliable and robust models for managing information and thus promoting safe, effective and functional operations. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to present the process of entering a container terminal using a smart gate approach. As such, in addition to mapping out the process that can be used to define operations at the gate, the main technologies that will be coupled to the processes were identified and presented to guarantee data collection, as well as information presentation. Also, to manage the information coming from this process, the main requirements that will define the exchange of information between the process and external actors will be presented, using a SIPOC diagram approach. It was concluded that OCR and RFID are the most common vehicle and container identification technologies used in smart gates worldwide. This study has contributions at the practical level, in that it identifies the data flows inherent in the intelligent pre-gate process, but also at the theoretical level since it analyzes emerging technologies for identifying vehicles at port terminals.