Title: A data-driven waterway simulation model for inland waterway operation

Authors: Shiaau-Lir Wang

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA

Abstract: A waterway network can be characterised as a large queuing system with features of two-way traffic, tow variations, chamber assignment, and tow sequencing. Since no analytical model is fully sufficient to analyse the system|s complexity, a data-driven waterway simulation model is developed to evaluate the overall performance of any particular operational and investment plan by considering network interdependencies. The proposed model is verified with analytical queuing theory, and validated with available real world data. The model|s portability and functionality are demonstrated through different network scenarios, various control alternatives for lock operations, and dynamic demand for traffic interactions.

Keywords: simulation modelling; waterway operations; system evaluation; performance measurement; lock control; dynamic demand; interdependency; improvement project; inland waterways; queuing systems; traffic interactions.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2007.017096

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.419 - 444

Published online: 12 Feb 2008 *

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