Integrated design process of maritime terminals assisted by simulation models

The port design process plays a key role both in the planning of the infrastructures and in quality of provided transport services. In fact operating conditions near the maximum capacity cause congestion effects with the concerned negative consequences on capacity and regularity. In this framework, models capable to support the design process, in terms of infrastructural and equipment dimensioning, as well as to simulate the operation of the sea-side and land-side port terminals, to evaluate their capacity and to relate the terminal utilisation degree with the quality of the transport services are very effective. The paper describes a chain of regressive, analytical and combinatorial models, which has been developed by taking into account, within a stepwise methodological approach, dimensions and handiness of the ships, positions of terminals, accessibility, handling equipment, storage areas. The results of a pilot application to the Italian port of Livorno are presented.