Simulation of Waste Processing, Transportation, and
Janis Trone and Angela Guerin (Sandia National Laboratory) and Amber D. Clay (Simulation Dynamics)
In response to the accelerated cleanup goals of the Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratory (Sandia) has developed and utilized a number of simulation models to represent the processing, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste. Sandia, in conjunction with Simulation Dynamics, has developed a Supply Chain model of the cradle to grave management of radioactive waste. Sandia has used this model to assist the Department of Energy in developing a cost effective, regulatory compliant and efficient approach to dispose of waste from 25 sites across the country over the next 35 years.
A Supply Chain Case Study of a Food Manufacturing
David J. Parsons and Andrew J. Siprelle (Simulation Dynamics, Inc.)
A large food manufacturer recently decided to merge with another food manufacturer of similar size. The companies anticipated dealing with complex issues of combining their operations and supply chains. The companies decided to use simulation as an analysis tool for the merging of their supply chains. This paper presents a case study of the simulation study and the results.
Using Simulation to Analyze Supply
Daniel Schunk and Beth Plott (Micro Analysis and Design, Inc.)
Supply Chain management, the management of the flow of goods or services from materials stage to the end user, is a complex process because of the level of uncertainty at each stage of the supply chain. Computer simulation, because it can be applied to operational problems that are too difficult to model and solve analytically, is an especially effective tool to help analyze supply chain logistical issues. While most engineers have had some exposure to the tools and technology of computer modeling and simulation, the use of simulation for supply chain analysis has not been prevalent until recently. The software tool, Supply Solver, was developed in an effort to provide supply chain solutions using simulation as the foundation. In this paper, the goal will be to show how discrete-event simulation is used to analyze supply chain processes. This paper will also demonstrate what some of the considerations are in using Supply Solver to help solve supply chain design problems.
Simulation Model for Shipment of Waste to the Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant
Cathy J. Barnard and David H. Van Haaften (Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory)
The United States Department of Energy has agreed to ship 15,000 drums of cold war legacy waste from the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). This waste must undergo characterization and certification prior to shipment. The processes required to characterize and certify waste for shipment to WIPP are extremely complex. A simulation model was developed to analyze drum throughput in these various processes. Inputs to the model include process start and stop dates, machine upgrade dates, process times, and process rejection rates. Outputs include machine utilization, buffer storage statistics, truckloads shipped per month, drums shipped per month, and drum inventory by facility. The simulation model continues to facilitate the INEEL strategic and tactical planning needed to accomplish the agreement within the required time frame.
An MSE-Based Simulation Capability for Strategic
and Tactical Logistics
Charles R. Standridge (Grand Valley State University) and David R. Heltne (Equilon Enterprises LLC)
We have developed and applied modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities for addressing strategic and tactical logistics problems in the chemical industry. These problems have to do with determining capital equipment requirements and assessing alternative strategies for logistics operations. Applications require short turn around time. While similar in many respects, each application requires its own tailored solution. The modular simulation environment approach has been used to manage a set of software, including a commercial simulation environment, general purpose software, and application specific tools. This set of software tools supports quick model development and delivery of simulation results. Data organization strategies for voluminous model input data and simulation results have been defined. Through this application work, requirements for a more general MSE implementation have been established.
Simulation and Optimization of Sugar Cane Transportation
in Harvest Season
José A. Díaz and Ileana G. Pérez (Instituto Superior Politécnico 'J. A. Echeverría')
Cuba is one of the world’s major sugar producers, producing on average more than five millions tons per year. The sugar cane harvest is a huge logistical operation in which between 45 and 50 millions tons of sugar cane must be cut and transported every year. This operation involves thousands of workers, dozens of cutting machines, hundreds of tractors and several hundreds of trucks and trailers all over the country. This operation must be carefully planned and coordinated to avoid the waste of valuable resources. Simulation has been applied here to gain insights into the relations between the various processes, the presence of bottlenecks and their causes and at the same time to optimize the resources allocated to the operation as a whole. This paper describes an application involving the simulation and optimization of a complex man-machine system that is sugar cane harvest, in which dynamic modeling plays an important role. Simulation modeling with design of experiments, response surfaces and optimization techniques are combined in order to reach the best solution according to some measurements.
SimAir: A Stochastic Model of Airline
Jay M. Rosenberger, Andrew J. Schaefer, David Goldsman, Ellis L. Johnson, Anton J. Kleywegt, and George L. Nemhauser (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Airline transportation systems are inherently random. However, airline planning models do not explicitly consider stochasticity in operations. Because of this, there is often a notable discrepancy between a schedule's planned and actual performance. SimAir is a modular airline simulation that simulates the daily operations of a domestic airline. Its primary purpose is to evaluate plans, such as crew schedules, as well as recovery policies in a random environment. We describe the structure of SimAir, and we give future directions for the study of airline planning under uncertainty.
Simulation Based Operational Analysis of Future
Space Transportation Systems
Alex J. Ruiz-Torres (University of Texas at El Paso) and Edgar Zapata (NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center)
This paper presents an approach to the operational analysis of future space transportation systems. The approach combines knowledge from government and industry space operation and design experts, with system analysis methodologies to predict operational characteristics of a future space transportation system. The model proposed under this approach utilizes expert knowledge to predict the operational requirements of a vehicle concept, including the ground activities, flows, resources, and costs; all the components of the spaceport. The model incorporates simulation in order to include spaceport characteristics as alternative flows, processing variability, and other random events. This model will provide vehicle designers with useful un-derstanding of the spaceport operations related to the investigated vehicle design. A stand-alone application is being developed where the model will be implemented and validated. This paper presents an approach to the operational analysis of future space transportation systems. The approach combines knowledge from government and industry space operation and design experts, with system analysis methodologies to predict operational characteristics of a future space transportation system. The model proposed under this approach utilizes expert knowledge to predict the operational requirements of a vehicle concept, including the ground activities, flows, resources, and costs; all the components of the spaceport. The model incorporates simulation in order to include spaceport characteristics as alternative flows, processing variability, and other random events. This model will provide vehicle designers with useful understanding of the spaceport operations related to the investigated vehicle design. A stand-alone application is being developed where the model will be implemented and validated.
Hybrid-System Simulation for National Airspace
System Safety Analysis
Amy R. Pritchett, Seungman Lee, David Huang, and David Goldsman (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Analysis of large, complex systems requires simulations of hybrid-system dynamics, i.e., dynamics which are best described by a combination of continuous-time and discrete-event models, and their interactions. To serve as valuable research tools, such simulations need to be computationally efficient, readily modifiable, and open to a wide range of component modules. This paper describes the development of a simulation architecture meeting these criteria. The issues with its development are described conceptually, and its application to the task of safety analysis of the national airspace system is discussed. In particular, an object-oriented approach to hybrid-system simulation is detailed, and computationally efficient methods of updating the simulation are described and compared.
Traffic Flow Simulation Using CORSIM
Larry E. Owen, Yunlong Zhang, and Lei Rao (ITT Industries, Systems Division) and Gene McHale (Federal Highway Administration)
This paper presents an overview of the concept and features of the CORSIM traffic simulation program and the TSIS package that provides an integrated, user-friendly interface and environment for executing CORSIM. The new functions and feature of CORSIM and TSIS in the most recent release are highlighted. Several successful TSIS/CORSIM applications are used to demonstrate that CORSIM is a very effective tool to perform traffic operations analysis and to evaluate new ITS technologies.
Traffic Simulation of Roundabouts in
Willi Bernhard (Basle Institute of Technology, Management and Design) and Peter Portmann (Basle Institute of Technology, Management and Design of Technology)
In Switzerland, roundabouts enjoy of a large and growing popularity. As a self-organizing system, they replace more and more the traditional traffic light systems. This article focuses on the modeling and simulation of a double tracked roundabout near Lucerne (Switzerland). The simulation results were used for decision purposes; in order to find out if a single or double tracked roundabout should be used there. All simulations were done with the simulation language SIMSCRIPT II.5.
Modeling Road Traffic on Airport
Marco C. van Burgsteden, Paul E. Joustra, and Michiel R. Bouwman (Incontrol Business Engineers) and Mark Hullegie (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol)
This paper describes the development of a traffic-modeling tool as an Arena template and two applications of it: one to evaluate alternative designs for the road network on the premises of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and one to assess the effects of traffic signaling on a junction. The tool uses discrete event simulation, very suited for modeling traffic in areas where there are a lot of interactions other than car-following. Generation of the O/D matrix was done automatically by a custom-made application.
The Use of Simulation Modeling for Intermodal
Beth C. Kulick and James T. Sawyer (Automation Associates, Incorporated)
Simulation modeling that has been successfully used to analyze intermodal capacity issues for a wide variety of facilities. Simulation technology provides an analysis mechanism for large intermodal facilities that are difficult to duplicate with other methods due to the interaction of many variables. Automation Associates, Inc. (AAI) is a simulation consulting services company that has been providing models for the transportation and intermodal industry for over ten years. AAI has developed many models to support major architecture and engineering projects as well as provide analysis support for intermodal operators. Through this experience, there have been modeling projects built to address different objectives based on the project requirements. A survey of the major categories of modeling projects based on their unique objectives and scope is presented in this paper. Additionally, two actual model implementations are discussed relative to this outline.
Simulation Modeling and Analysis of New International
Ali S. Kiran and Tekin Cetinkaya (Kiran Consulting Group) and Serafettin Og (Tepe -Akfen-Vie (TAV) )
This paper describes a recently completed project involving the development of simulation models for the new international terminal at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey. The simulation models helped evaluate the passenger and aircraft flow from the terminal entrance to boarding; identify the system bottlenecks as well as the system capacities. The models have also been used for operations planning, training and the demonstration of terminal activities. Since the overall objective of the project was to validation of the terminal design, the models included major passenger, aircraft, and baggage flow activities. The following project steps were conducted to achieve the overall goals: 1. Developed a dynamic-stochastic simulation model and an Excel Driven User Interface to analyze the new International Terminal at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and identify the service bottlenecks. (The model was developed using ProModel). 2. Conducted experiments with the model in order to understand and evaluate the system performance. 3. Identified the system bottlenecks and recommended solutions to eliminate those bottlenecks and increase airport capacity and service levels. 4. Conducted training sessions for the TAV staff for continuous use of the models. The results showed that the new terminal is capable of serving the planned passenger capacity per year. The new terminal has more than enough capacity for the peak hours of the day and/or peak days of the year. The analysis also demonstrated that the daily flight schedule and gate-allocations are very important in maximizing the system performance.
Train Station Passenger Flow Study
Janice P. Li (Booz, Allen & Hamilton)
With the increasing demand for public transportation due to congested highway, trains have become one of the most viable alternatives, especially for daily commuting. While transit agencies are excited with the increasing ridership, they are also challenged with a higher volume of passenger flow and longer queuing lines at the existing stations. To improve the current situation and plan for the future, transit agencies are using simulation tools to help evaluating station design, queue management, fare equipment design and fare policy impacts.
Simulation and Analysis of Non-Automated
Soemon Takakuwa (Nagoya University), Hiroki Takizawa (Chuo System Corporation), Kumiko Ito (Hitachi Systems and Services, Ltd.) and Shinichiro Hiraoka (Lion Corporation)
The distribution warehouse is located between manufacturers and customers. Storage facilities are designed around four primary functions: holding, consolidation, break-bulk, and mixing. In addition, materials handling within a storage-handling system reduces to three primary activities: loading and unloading, movement to and from storage, and order filling. Generally, non-automated warehouse is more difficult to build a simulation model than AS/RS, because materials handling is much more complicated. In this study, a procedure to build simulation models for move-store activities of complicated and non-automated distribution warehouses is proposed. The simulation model here is designed to execute together with the program for generating parameters of materials handling. Then, simulation analysis is performed, using simulation model built by the proposed procedure.
Inventory Management Simulations at Cat
C. Ann Goodsell and Thomas J. Van Kley (Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc.)
Simulation is used extensively by Caterpillar Logistics Services, Inc. (Cat Logistics) to determine an appropriate strategy for achieving clients?inventory and customer service goals. Internally developed inventory management simulations, at the transaction and SKU level, help both to develop inventory / service strategies for potential clients and to determine the effect of a change in strategy for existing clients. Inventory management continues to be a significant contributor to the success of Cat Logistics. It is one service that distinguishes Cat Logistics from all other third party logistics providers; a distinction made possible, in large part, by Cat Logistics simulation technology.
Simulation within the Railroad
Harald Krueger (Canadian National Railway), Eric Vaillancourt and Ann M. Drummie (CANAC Inc.) and Steve J. Vucko and Joe Bekavac (Canadian National Railway)
A panel of individuals with expertise in the railroad industry provides an overview of Simulation within the Railroad Environment. The panelists discuss their work and high-light the issues, challenges, and benefits associated with application of simulation models. Topics presented are; ·Model Development, the issues and challenges. ·Role of Dispatch Model in Mainline Capacity Studies. ·Benefit of Simulation tools in Train Dispatching. ·Usage of Simulation in Strategic Decision-Making. ·Areas for Improvement and Increased use.
A Voice Assisted Simulation-Animation
Raymond L. Smith, III (International Business Machines Corporation) and Stephen D. Roberts (North Carolina State University)
This paper introduces a software architecture that has been used to enable voice assistance for a simulation-animation environment by integrating technologies that recognize spoken language input and generate spoken language output. Voice assisted technology has several features which make user navigation within complex software applications easier than traditional methods, such as key-typed commands or mouse manipulation. While this environment might be more friendly to an end user, several challenges exist to a developer tasked with integrating these extremely diversity technologies into a single software architecture that must operate with computational efficiency. We present the requirements and design for a proposed software architecture, referred to as the Voice Assisted Simulation-Animation Architecture (VASArch), that attempts to address these problems. We also present the implementation of a prototype for simulating a single-server system with exponentially distributed customer interarrival and service times, called VASArch(M/M/1), which was developed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed software architecture. The prototype offers a user the ability to interact with the simulation model environment by providing input through spoken commands, mouse manipulation, and keyboard entry. In addition, the prototype provides output, which includes statistical information, in spoken and visual form for user examination.
Seeing is Believing: The Importance of Visualization
in Manufacturing Simulation
Matthew W. Rohrer (AutoSimulations, a Brooks Automation Company)
Visualization has become a critical component of simulation technology. Today we can’t imagine doing a simulation without some kind of visualization to help communicate results and get better understanding of a model’s behavior. Model build time and debugging have been significantly improved using 2D and 3D animation. The elements of visualization are discussed to help simulation practitioners understand where animation should be employed and how it can improve the process of simulation modeling. The future of visualization in simulation will also be discussed.
Simulation for Recurring Decisions
K. Guus C. de Ruiter, Joost M. Sluijs, and Wilbert B. Stoutjesdijk (Incontrol Business Engineers)
In recent years simulation proved to be a useful technology to support the making of recurring decisions. This paper describes the integrated simulator concept and requirements to make simulation useful for those decisions. First, the differences between onetime decisions and recurring decisions are pointed out. An important difference is that recurring decision-makers don't have assistance from simulation experts to make decisions. Therefore, decision-makers need a solution to be able to use simulation easily. Second, the integrated simulator concept is introduced. This concept can bring simulation to the desk of recurring decision-makers. This has consequences for users, simulation experts and simulation software. Finally, two cases are presented in which the integrated simulator concept proved to be successful.
System Sizing Using Modeling and
Michael J. Engiles and Edward R. Stephan (CACI, Inc.)
A set of well-honed procedures have evolved for developing models that realistically reflect the user's application area. The benefits derived from the application of this systematic approach begin to accrue almost immediately. This paper will address the benefits derived from the application of modeling and simulation to areas such as architectural trade-offs, and sizing the system to meet the workload. A variety of practical examples will be included from server systems, telecommunications networks and manual processes. Inherent in the successful application of the modeling and simulation procedures is the requirement that they be applied iteratively and in a manner that produces frequent feedback from the system designers, managers and user community.
Simulation of the Tornado Hazard in the
Bronislava M. Sigal, Ajay Singhal, Kai Pan, Pasan Seneviratna, and Masoud M. Zadeh (K2 Technologies, subsidiary of E. W. Blanch)
On average more than 1000 tornado touchdowns hit continental US every year causing significant human and economic losses. In order to manage tornado risk, we need to assess tornado hazard, the subsequent damage, and the resulting loss. This paper presents a methodology for tornado hazard assessment, which is an important step in the management of risk. For this purpose, a simulation approach is used to infer the characteristics of future tornadoes from those of past events. This paper first develops the probability distributions of the following tornado parameters needed in the simulation: rate of occurrence, relative frequencies of different Fujita scales, length, width, direction, location, and wind speed at touchdown. Then an approach for generating tornado events using the Latin hypercube method is presented. The method is applied to obtain simulated databases. These databases are first used to check convergence on the underlying parameters. The databases are then used to study the convergence of average annual loss as well as losses that are exceeded with specified probabilities.
Simulation of Transport Protocols Over Wireless
Hala ElAarag and Mostafa Bassiouni (University of Central Florida)
In this paper, we describe a general-purpose communication network simulator that we designed to examine the performance of transport protocols over wireless networks. The general-purpose simulator can be used to study various aspects of performance of communication networks. In particular, we use it to examine, evaluate and predict the performance of wireless networks under a variety of the most commonly used transport protocols. We also examine the use of newly suggested protocols specifically designed for wireless networks. In this paper, we present our models for each protocol. We discuss various performance measures that can be studied using our simulator. These measures are hard to evaluate with analytical models.