Integrating logistics and transportation simulation tools for long-term planning

The complexity that underlies in transport systems and logistics necessitate the integration of different models that are capable of overcoming potential limitations when considering tools individually. This paper focuses on the evaluation of traffic and logistics measures by integrating two simulation software (PTV VISSIM and AnyLogic). The simplicity of integrating the two software make the resulting model a suitable tool for evaluating measures at regional level. The result of the integration is a model that is able to simulate the traffic conditions on a transport network. The integrated model is tested in the wider area of Volos Port, Greece and port's intra-logistics processes. The model is used to evaluate the feasibility of the measures in the year 2030, by comparing it with the situation in the year 2030 without the implementation of any new measure. The evaluation of the model is performed by using a set of indicators that represent environmental and transport impacts. The analysis is completed by using a multi-criteria decision making tool to generate the Logistics Sustainability Index (LSI) to summarize the information that is provided by the indicators. The study indicates that the usage of simulation models has the potential to provide a holistic impact evaluation of complex decisions and support long term planning.