Simulation-Based Analysis of Rail Network Layouts for Bottleneck Mitigation in a Seaport

Seaports serve a critical role beyond domestic trade and import and export facilitation, acting as vital hubs connecting various transportation modes, particularly land-based networks. Utilizing railways for cargo transport between seaports and hinterlands is a sustainable way to transport cargo. Enhancing the port performance mainly relies on the performance of the rail network within the seaport. Inefficient operation of the rail network in the terminal can generate congestion, consequently negatively affecting port capacity and the amount of cargo handled in the port. This paper addresses congestion issues in a real case study, presenting scenarios to alleviate congestion and enhance the rail network's performance to mitigate the bottleneck effect noted by port authorities. Proposed changes focus on altering the port's current network layout to eliminate intersections and enhance wagon movement flexibility. Findings reveal existing congestion and bottlenecks, signaling an opportunity for performance improvement. Two scenarios were evaluated to address bottlenecks by using static criteria on infrastructure-related modifications to the layout of the current rail network and dynamic criteria for operation efficiency and capacity usage. These criteria are used to evaluate and compare the proposed solutions with the actual port operations. This research provides valuable insights for mitigating congestion within the rail network, offering practical solutions to optimize port performance.