A model of the Munich-Riem Airport developed according to the generalized integrated simulation technique (GIST)

Over the course of the last few decades simulation has evolved into one of the most powerful tools of operations research with applications in a wide range of fields. Despite the increasing usage of simulation, a number of inherent limiting factors have inhibited its growth and prevented it from developing into a technology of true mass appeal. The focus of this work is a method for overcoming many of the traditional limitations of simulation. A formal treatise of modelling principles is presented in this study and given the name Generalized Integrated Simulation Technique or GIST. GIST models are based on a methodology involving the integration of a spreadsheet software package with a simulation language model and a base processing language. The synergy resulting from the interaction of the various software programs yields a relatively inexpensive, yet surprisingly powerful modelling system which has several substantial advantages over conventional simulation systems. The GIST methodology offers a significant contribution to the field of microcomputer simulation. The principles of GIST are demonstrated in the work through their application to the development of a generic Airport Simulation System which is tailored to the Munich-Riem Airport. The large and complex nature of the airport plus the circumstances forcing it to operate almost continuously at a level very close to its maximum physical capacity make it an ideal subject for a simulation study of this type. Among the most important feature of the Airport Simulation System are the stages of pre-processing, intermediate processing, and post-processing conducted by the spreadsheet software before, between, and after the various phases of simulation network and discrete event processing. In addition, the easy-to-operate and quick-to-update nature of the modelling system opens the door for non-experts in simulation to make frequent use of the system