Container Stack Yard Optimization Using ALV Vehicles: The Case of TraPac LLC

Intelligent transport technologies are currently used effectively in container handling processes, and developments in this area have the potential to enhance logistical efficiency.In the literature, vehicles known as automated lifting vehicles (ALVs) are autonomous and intelligent versions of straddle carriers.ALVs are capable of independently positioning containers within the yard and transferring them to quay crane accessible zones without requiring yard crane support.Thanks to their high maneuverability, these vehicles offer significant advantages not only in operational processes but also in the spatial optimization of container yards.This study examines the yard area optimization potential of ALV systems.In this study, a limited use area at the Los Angeles TraPac LLC terminal, where ALVs are actively employed, was optimized using the nonlinear generalized reduced gradient algorithm.For the first time in the literature, an angled stacking layout was proposed based on the vehicles' maneuvering capabilities.The results indicate that the area can accommodate between 2,337 and 3,116 containers, depending on the ALV model.This finding highlights that autonomous transport systems can contribute not only to operational efficiency but also to spatial effectiveness in container terminals.