Integrated simulation of freeway traffic flow and container terminal operation: framework and case study

This paper proposes a framework for collectively simulating marine terminal operations and urban traffic networks. The frame work consists of two simulation models: a flow-based macroscopic simulation model to simulate container terminals' operations, and a microscopic traffic simulation model to simulate freeway traffic networks adjacent to the terminals. The proposed framework is designed to provide seamless and continuous interaction between the two simulation models. As a case study, a stretch of the I-710 freeway, in the State of California, US, adjacent to the Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) port is constructed in the framework. The constructed framework is used to simulate and quantify the movements of empty containers within the LA/LB port area.