Resource planning of intermodal terminals using timed Petri nets

In this paper we show how timed Petri nets can be efficiently used to solve problems related to resource planning in intermodal freight transport terminals. In particular, the tackled issues regard the strategic planning of the number of facilities used to transfer the intermodal transport units and the capacity/frequency of the transportation means. A real case study is considered, namely a rail-road terminal located in southern Italy. Monte Carlo simulations based on the timed Petri net model of the terminal are carried out considering various scenarios, including both the regular behavior based on real data, and situations of potential congestion resulting from increase in the commercial flows.