Yard Asset Management via Predictive Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing the capacity of shipping yards is challenging, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to drivers circling for parking spots when yards are full, and requiring relocation of assets, which wastes time and money.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using sensor apparatuses on vehicles and containers to detect and communicate asset numbers and scheduling information to a central server, predicting future yard utilization by correlating current assets with future activity, allowing for proactive management and rerouting to avoid over-capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no real-time yard capacity information is provided to drivers, then drivers may circle the yard looking for parking spots, but this results in waste of time and creates traffic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively notifying drivers of available parking spots before they arrive at the yard. The central server monitors yard capacity in real-time and sends advance notifications to drivers' mobile devices, allowing them to plan their arrival and avoid circling the yard when no spots are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring yard capacity and relaying this information back to drivers through mobile notifications. The central server receives updates on asset movements and parking spot availability, then provides real-time feedback to drivers, enabling them to make informed decisions about when and where to arrive at the yard.
2Ease of operation
If drivers are relocated to another nearby empty yard, then the current full yard issue is resolved, but this wastes time and costs more money for the shipping company
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by identifying and notifying drivers of alternative empty yards before they reach a full yard. The central server monitors capacity across multiple yards and proactively provides routing recommendations to drivers, allowing them to relocate to an empty yard in advance rather than being forced to relocate when the original yard is full.
Solution Approach 2:
The central server acts as an intermediary between drivers and multiple yards, coordinating asset movements and providing intelligent routing recommendations. It monitors the status of various yards and mediates the relocation process by suggesting optimal alternative yards, reducing the need for reactive and time-consuming relocations.
3Ease of operation
If drivers circle the yard looking for parking spots, then they may find an available spot, but this creates traffic congestion and blocks the way
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing drivers with real-time information about available parking spots before they arrive at the yard. This allows drivers to plan their approach and proceed directly to available spots, eliminating the need to circle the yard and preventing traffic congestion caused by multiple vehicles searching for parking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing drivers to autonomously obtain parking spot information through mobile notifications without needing to physically search the yard or interact with yard staff. Drivers can make informed decisions about when and where to arrive, reducing unnecessary traffic and improving overall yard access efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method at a computing device for determining future utilization of a shipping yard, the method including detecting a number of assets within the shipping yard; determining, based on asset scheduling information, future yard activity; and correlating the number of assets within the shipping yard with the future yard activity to provide a predictive yard utilization.