A discrete-event simulation model for the analysis of a waiting line system in port services: A case study

Abstract

Queuing theory is a set of mathematical models that explain systems where customers wait in a row to receive service under specific selection criteria. The models allow analyzing the system’s behavior and finding a “solid-state” that achieves an optimal use of resources. However, there are no models developed for each type of behavior of the distribution of customer arrival times or customer service times in the system in many real situations. In these cases, it is recommended to work the queuing systems through simulation by discrete events. This paper proposed applying the queue system principles in a container loading and unloading process in the port of Barranquilla (Colombia). For this, the entry and exit elements of the import and export processes of goods were identified. Each process’s actual loading and unloading times were consolidated and analyzed to identify the most adjusted probability distributions for these times. The simulation process included the random generation of the times between arrivals and the service times to 30 simulations made in each process to study the evolution of the queuing system over time. The results demonstrated the utility of the proposed approach to obtain and analyze the performance measures of the processes.