Automated localization of containers: a non-conventional approach based on wireless sensor networks

Logistics management faces a continuous challenge to reduce equipment and manpower costs. As the processes and the needs get more complex, technology plays a fundamental role to fulfill the demand. The most advanced solutions that are currently adopted in ports and terminals use RFID- and GPS-based technologies to identify and localize shipping containers in the yard. Nevertheless, because of the limits of these solutions, the position of containers is still affected by some errors or it cannot be determined in real-time. We propose a non-conventional approach where the position of containers can be continuously determined by means of wireless sensors. More in detail, each container is equipped with a number of nodes that use wireless communication to detect neighbor containers and to send this data to a base station. On the base station, geometrical constraints and proximity data are combined to determine the actual position of containers. The implemented system includes a graphical user interface where the container stack can be represented in a 3D virtual environment. In this way, the user can easily interact with the localization and management system by using a realistic and user-friendly interface