Intermodal terminal planning by Petri Nets and Data Envelopment Analysis

A procedure for planning and resources' management in intermodal terminals is presented. It integrates Timed Petri Nets (TPNs) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and consists of three steps: the terminal modeling via TPNs to model the regular behavior; the evaluation of whether the current configuration may cope with increased freight flows; if not, the analysis by cross-efficiency DEA of alternative planning solutions. The procedure provides the decision maker with number, capacity, and schedule of resources to tackle the flows increase. The method is evaluated by a real case study, showing that integrating TPNs and DEA allows taking planning decisions under conflicting requirements.