An Application of Agent-Based Modelling for the Maritime Transportation


Zorba Y.

II. Global Conference on Innovation in Marine Technology and the Future of Maritime Transportation, İzmir, Turkey, 18 - 19 April 2019

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: İzmir
  • Country: Turkey
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Simulation software can be used primarily to evaluate designs and plans that do not exist, or to evaluate models and theories in complex systems and to reveal the effects of variables. In this respect, models are created with the data obtained from the targeted system, and predictions or explanations can be made by means of data produced in the models. Today, an increasing number of scientific disciplines from archeology to medicine benefit from simulations to decentralize of decision-making, to determine the local-global relationship, or to identify differences within the system. Agent Base Models are also active simulation methods for such research and analysis. Agents work in an autonomous structure and can conduct independent operations without user intervention. Agents also can perceive and respond to variables within the framework of defined behavioral criteria. In this study, different situations in a port area have been tried to be explained by using Python language-based MESA agent-based modeling software. Ships are defined as agents in the system and port area works as a base model. The quay usage time, the waiting time in the anchor, and the effect of the increasing berth length/quay number are some of the data obtained from the model. In this study, it is shown that agent-based models can be used more effectively in managerial decisions regarding the design of the maritime transportation elements and the administrative decisions for the operations. Along with increasing technology and information exchange, it is expected to be used more widely in future research and analysis.