Terminals are a central point in combined road/rail transport (CT). In our search for optimization, we asked ourselves which processes could be made more efficient. Setareh Behzadi from the Chair of Management Science/Operations Research and Julia Wenzel from our Chair of Corporate Management and Logistics have found some answers to this question as part of the joint HOLM project “SpotIn”.

The aim of the project “SpotIn” was to determine whether the use of so-called “spotters” in CT terminals could be useful in the future. “Spotters” are small tractor units that can move non-stackable semi-trailers within the terminal. By combining simulation techniques and a random forest model, we were able to achieve impressive results. This could mean a paradigm shift in CT terminals by further optimizing processes and increasing efficiency.

“SpotIn” is a pioneering and innovative research project that combines the expertise of our two specialist areas in our research group “Logistics & Supply Chain Management”. The project was funded by the State of Hesse and HOLM funding as part of the “Innovations in Logistics and Mobility” measure of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing. Find out more about the project here.