Univ., Diss.--Göteborg, 2007.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Transport Policy and Planning / Master / Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning

published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

As the container traffic at the Port of Savannah is expected to increase, its impacts need to be evaluated to address major concerns regarding the roadway network surrounding the port and the overall operations of the port. A federation of two disparate simulators was created in order to model the impacts of increased container traffic. The Port of Savannah was modeled using Rockwell Arena© and the surrounding roadway network was modeled using PTV VISSIM©. These two simulators operated concurrently and continually provided feedback with one another. The challenges that arose from this combination were largely due to the time structure of the models. Arena© is a discrete event simulator and VISSIM© is a continuous traffic simulator. A basic model, where these two pieces of software could pass information between one another, was initially created as a test bed for methods required to federate the two models. These basic concepts were then applied to a comprehensive model of the Port of Savannah and the surrounding area. This federated modeling approach for the Port of Savannah allowed the analysis to reflect the interaction of behaviors unique to the port and local roadway network. For instance, the federated model successfully captured how delays at the Port of Savannah increased as a result of increased congestion in the surrounding roadway network. It is anticipated that this prototypal model will be a base for future research into the area of federating disparate transportation simulators, as well as aid in the further exploration of a transportation run-time interface.

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 110-114).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Hunter, Michael; Committee Member: Laval, Jorge; Committee Member: Rodgers, Michael. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (doctoral)--Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, 2005. Thesis (Ph. D)--Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, 2005. / "The research reported in this thesis has been carried out in cooperation with SIKS (The Dutch Research School for Information and Knowledge Systems) and TRAIL (The Netherlands Research School for TRAnsport, Infrastructure and Logistics)"--T.p verso. Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-256). Also available online.

The research problem addressed in the study was to identify the factors contributing to a competitive advantage in the intermodal industry in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM). To achieve this objective, a literature study on competitive advantage and the intermodal industry was undertaken. Porter’s diamond of competitive advantage was used as basis for the study. A structured questionnaire was developed from the literature study on competitive advantage, and interviews were with clients of the intermodal industry in the NMMM. The empirical study showed a strong concurrence with the literature on competitive advantage. This study identified the following factors promoting a competitive advantage: performance factors, demand conditions, related and supporting industries, and the organisation’s strategy, structure and rivalry. In conclusion, recommendations on how the intermodal industry can achieve a competitive advantage included the choice between a focused strategy and a combination of price and differentiation strategy. Further recommendations included the development of a comprehensive land freight information system, promotion of environmental protection, human resource development, and the promotion of an efficient and competitive intermodal industry within the limits of the road transport infrastructure.