A
system, equipment, and processes for extending the scope of
automation in port container facilities, and thereby increasing port capacity within fixed
land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and reducing the overall cost of goods movement. A
storage area is accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads. On the waterside, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and ships using quay cranes. On the
ground transportation side, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and
truck or rail carriers using semi automated or automated remote-controlled bridge cranes. Within the
storage area, loads are exchanged between the vehicles and the storage facilities using automated stacking cranes. The vehicles are adapted to receive a cassette storage platform which in turn receives standard ISO containers. The vehicles also are adapted to receive one or more alternative platforms including a coning platform for workers to manage container coning, a reefer access and maintenance platform, and a worker transport platform. The use of a
single vehicle type with interchangeable platforms allows for maximum flexibility and efficiency. The
automation of the vehicle allows for complete
contamination within the storage portion of the
system.The
system thus substantially extends the reach of
automation to cover both landside and waterside intra-terminal transfer operations. By this extension, the interface of workers and machines is greatly reduced, increasing safety, productivity, security, and capacity. By this extension, the
robotic control process can be fully optimized, increasing velocity and reliability while reducing the terminal's environmental
footprint.