AR 06-06
Loading and Unloading Containers: Examining the Efficiency of Goods Movements
Hsien-Yang Yeh
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
College of Engineering
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
Tel: (562) 985-4611
Fax: (562) 985-4408
Email: hyyeh@csulb.edu
Henry Yeh
California State University, Long Beach
Department of Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
Tel: (562) 985-4899
Fax: (562) 985-5899
Email: heyeh@csulb.edu
Project Objectives:
The objectives of this proposal are to: perform data collection on the speed of loading and unloading container process, together with the functionality and coverage of the existing crane equipment employed in the container terminal. Understand the complexity of the existing loading and unloading procedures of currently employed crane systems and then identify needs for the near future. Propose a preliminary solution which is fast and accurate for loading and unloading containers, while reducing human errors and improving safety at the work place. This may include a preliminary study of using high-tech electronic devices such as global positioning system (GPS) receiver to position the top of the beam of the crane in order to load/unload the container safely and efficiently from starting position to ending location.
Tasks:
1. To understand the complexity and coverage of quay cranes currently employed at a container terminal.
2. To identify the common needs of quay cranes for the near future.
3. To classify the crane type and usage at a container terminal from ship to land and vice versa.
4. To conduct a preliminary dynamic study on the speed and accuracy of quay cranes' loading from ship to land and vice versa at a specific container terminal.
5. To conduct a preliminary feasibility study on using GPS as the data-aided helper to the crane operator to speed up loading and unloading of containers with high accuracy.
Milestones/Dates:
7/1/06 through 6/30/07
Total Budget:
$40,000
Student Involvement:
Student Assistants: 80 hours at $15/hr
