Simulation Modelling in Transport and Logistics

The course is devoted to modern methods of simulation modelling, which are used both in the practice of designing new and improving existing transport and logistics systems. Only with the help of this research method it is possible to obtain estimates of the performance of such systems under conditions in which their operation has not been observed before. Simulation modelling is based on application of both engineering knowledge from the field of functioning of transport and logistics systems and special mathematical methods and programming. In the first part of the course the student is given basic knowledge from system analysis, mathematical statistics and queueing theory. Special attention is paid to statistical methods, which are applied in modelling random parameters of the model, as well as in processing data from simulation experiments. Within the review of software for simulation modelling the student is introduced to VISSIM and AnyLogic packages. The course provides detailed information on all stages of a simulation study, which include conceptual model development, software development, model verification and validation, and planning and implementation of simulation experiments. At the end of the course the student will submit and defend a term project in which he/she describes his/her experience in developing a simulation model of a specific transport or logistics system.