Supply models for the simulation of Ro-Ro and Lo-Lo terminals

Freight transport plays an important role in the transport system, insofar as it is a fundamental element for the economic development of an area and a country in general. In Italy over 80 % of freight travels by road, despite the country’s 7400-km coastline which is particularly suited to short-sea shipping. The ports are organized as freight interchange centres: they are equipped to integrate with road transport for the initial and final links, and use sea and rail routes for long distances. In this paper an interchange general cargo terminal is analysed, with reference to Ro-Ro (Roll on, Roll off) and Lo-Lo (Lift on, Lift off) transfer types. In this note a method is used to modellize the road-sea intermodal system. The connecting infrastructures, namely the port systems, are analysed, using a specialized graphs. Finally performance functions are specified and calibrated in relation to the different types of terminals and links reproducing different operations. Problem definition Nowadays, freight transport plays an important role in the transport system [1] [5], insofar as it is a fundamental element for the economic development of an area and a country in general [3]