Coordinators
For independent entities that coordinate the combined operations of all rail participants in a common supply chain
Complex networks
Model large, complex, multi-stakeholder rail-based value chains
Maximise system throughput
Simultaneously optimise inbound and outbound operations
Global optimisation
Simultaneously minimise demurrage, maximise throughput and above rail efficiency
Operating paradigms
Model dedicated stockpile and/or cargo assembly terminal operations
Inbound / Outbound Scheduling
Simultaneously schedule inbound (load point to terminal stockpile) and outbound (terminal stockpile to vessel) operations for bulk haulage rail networks comprising multiple producers, multiple rail haulage providers and multiple terminal operators to maximise system throughput and minimise total logistics costs
Manage Maintenance Profiles
Evaluate the impacts of different maintenance profiles (load point, rail unit, track, dump station, stacker, reclaimer, ship loader) on system throughput for given demand conditions
Rapid Scenario Testing
Examine the impacts on system throughput of:
- Fleet Mix Changes
- Fleet Dedication
- Terminal Demand Changes
- Terminal Operating Guidelines
- Load Point Upgrades
- Track Network Upgrades
- Terminal Upgrades
Input Data Third Party Input Data Optimised Decision Output Data
| Planning Considerations | Haulage Providers | Track Owners | Coordinators | Integrated Producers | Terminal Operators | Primary Producers |
|---|
Demand
| Ordering vessels for cargo assembly terminals | ||||||
| Ordering to dedicated stockpile terminals | ||||||
| Product availability at load points | ||||||
| Fulfilment profile for orders |
Load Point
| Loop capacity | ||||||
| Load and recharge durations | ||||||
| Loading activities |
Fleet
| Fleet composition | ||||||
| Fleet availability | ||||||
| Fleet dedication | ||||||
| Reprovisioning |
Fixed Maintenance
| Load point | ||||||
| Track | ||||||
| Dump station | ||||||
| Conveyor | ||||||
| Available pathing | ||||||
| Stacker | ||||||
| Pad | ||||||
| Reclaimer | ||||||
| Ship loader | ||||||
| Rail consist |
Flexible Maintenance
| Rail consist | ||||||
| Floating track |
Rail Scheduling
| Detailed journeys for rail consists | ||||||
| Assignment of cycles to rail consists |
Train Crew
| Route knowledge | ||||||
| Depot locations | ||||||
| Barracks locations | ||||||
| Sign on patterns | ||||||
| Barracks crew utilisation |
Terminal Scheduling
| Dump slot timings | ||||||
| Dumping and stacking activities | ||||||
| Assignment of cargos to pads | ||||||
| Reclaiming and ship loading activities | ||||||
| Ship berthing sequence | ||||||
| Cargo build windows |
RACE Case Studies
Efficiently allocate crew to depots and undertake strategic studies
Using RACE to operate one of the world’s largest interconnected coal rail networks
Exploiting Hidden Capacity and Other Efficiencies Through Optimal Bulk Rail Logistics Planning
Determining Optimal Production Capacity by Modelling the Greater Coal Network
Maximising crew utilisation using optimisation in rail haulage operations
Maximising coal velocity through complex mining value chains
Optimising one of the world’s most complex coal supply chains
Mining supply chain optimisation with Gurobi
Increased profitability and throughput for rail based supply chains
Maximising profitability by using optimisation based decision support