Hoxha, Rexhina (University of Genoa), Sacone, Simona (University of Genova), Van de Weyer, Geert (PSA Antwerp), De Ridder, Roxan (PSA Antwerp), Cangelosi, Stefano (PSA Genoa Pra’), Zero, Enrico (University of Genova)

Evaluating Rail Yard Capacity with an Optimization Model

Scheduled for presentation during the Regular Session "S01b-Data-Driven Simulation and Modeling for Smart Mobility Systems" (WE-EA-T1), Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 14:50−14:50, Southport 1

2025 IEEE 28th International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC), November 18-21, 2025, Gold Coast, Australia

This information is tentative and subject to change. Compiled on October 19, 2025

Abstract

Rail yards are a critical component of port terminal operations, enabling the efficient movement of large volumes of containers by rail. This paper presents a mathematical model of the rail yard at PSA Genova Pra’ (PSA GP), developed to estimate the terminal’s maximum train-handling capacity, defined as the maximum number of trains the terminal can accommodate and serve within a given time period, while considering physical layout, operational constraints, and available resources. The model accounts for key elements such as track availability and rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes. Through scenario-based analysis, we explore how variations in these parameters affect the overall capacity. Results show that the number of available RMG cranes has the most significant impact on the number of trains the yard can handle, providing valuable insights for optimizing resource allocation and improving terminal efficiency.