Scheduling Optimization of Multiple Cranes with Multiple Blocks in Container Yards Based on SAA and GA

The yard crane is an important piece of handling equipment that is closely related to the efficiency of loading and unloading in container yards. How to efficiently schedule yard cranes is acritical problem. In this paper, the scheduling problem of multi-crane with multi-block on cost and efficiency (SPMMCE) is studied to achieve performance improvement in container yard operations. First, we established a mathematical model to optimize crane movement routes and to reduce the waiting time between cranes and trucks by considering the constraints of safe distances between each crane. Second, a simulated annealing algorithm (SAA) and genetic algorithm (GA) were used to solve the model. Finally, we provided the operating data of the Xiamen container port to verify the validity of the proposed model in terms of cost and operational efficiency, and the results show that the genetic algorithm is more effective than the simulated annealing algorithm and that the mathematical model can effectively solve SPMMCE.