Proposal of time optimization procedures at Port of Balboa, Panama

This document is a proposal to reduce the waiting time for trucks entering the port of Balboa; a port located in the Panamanian coast of the Pacific Ocean. Its objective is to reduce in an organized manner, the vehicular congestion at the entrance of the port and its surroundings areas, and avoiding waiting lanes that cause many inconveniences and great delays. Also, this document presents the mathematical modeling of this optimization problem, as well as its resolution using the Python programming language. The problem tries to minimize the total time in which all the trucks are served, but at the same time it is intended to minimize the average travel time of the trucks. As each of the problems to be introduce are independent, we propose to use a mixed objective function which are combined by means of weighted parameters. Solving the problem allows us to establish an order to serve the carriers by giving them an appointment with date and time of arrival at the port. Once inside the port, as long as the carrier complies with all the necessary documentation for the requested process, its route should not be affected. Each carrier will be attended to with a pre-arranged time for loading and/or unloading. Furthermore, the specific equipment and space needed for this cargo, and the assistance of adequate personnel, will optimize port management. Consequently, waiting times and congestion are reduced.