Automation can reduce gate opening hours
Offering quicker processing times, queues at automated gates could be a thing of the past
In a bizarre twist of time, Allen Thomas of APS notes that automation often results in gates staying open for less time, since more work can be done in less time.
Automated systems, aside from handling more trucks, allow arrival times to be scheduled in advance and peak flows smoothed out. This is one of the most powerful aspects of gate automation, he suggests.
When combined with a common web-based appointment system - which collects and pre-authorises key visit data - both the entry and exit gate transactions can be automated. This helps ports better utilise labour in the container yard, while reducing queuing, congestion and diesel emissions at the gates.
The Port of Tacoma's Brian Mannelly is in broad agreement. Managing peaks and troughs, he says, can yield significant productivity returns on the overall terminal performance, as well as improving truck turn times and traffic conditions on both the broader roadway system serving the gates and logistics support functions.
“I feel strongly that centralised data exchange, standardised electronic data interchange formats (particularly related to billing/invoicing), robust communications systems, and convenient and accessible end-user (primarily within the trucking community) interfaces will be key implementation measures to manage peak and off-peak demand management,” he states.
Significantly, Miami has not introduced an appointment system for haulage companies, claiming the industry is not yet in favour of this. However, the port is about to embark on a new project: the “Green Lane” concept. This will identify trusted trucks, truckers and trips using technology installed on the vehicle, in the cab and on the approach road. Trucks meeting all requirements will be able to traverse the green lanes without stopping at the gate.
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2012. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
