Multi-Agent Simulation for Freight Transportation with Swap Bodies

Improving the efficiency of freight services is the core issue in the economic development. The emergence of unexpected events in the process of freight transportation and taking decisions in the conditions of uncertainty impairs the sustainability of logistic processes. In this regard, the creation of simulation models is becoming increasingly topical. The sphere of motor vehicle transport is witnessing the development of new approaches that apply the multi-agent freight system. In the paper, we develop a multi-agent simulation model in AnyLogic environment using the process modelling library. This approach allows us to represent logistic activities as a sequence of operations and display them in process diagrams. Computer experiments performed at different values of the model parameters make it possible to enhance the quality of managerial decisions taken to find the optimal mode of organization of freight transportation. In the model, swap bodies are represented by Cont agents, and their parameters correspond to the cargo's main characteristics. Business processes of swapping containers take the form of statecharts and are configured to every hauling individually. To move the containers through the network segments, Truck resources are added. The shift plan sets the number of resources. The model takes into account the duration of working day for drivers, speed limits of individual parts of the route network and other factors.