Intermodal terminals with gateway function: Simulation of their engineering on a case study

A case study was conducted with the support of a 3D simulation tool for the engineering and design of an intermodal terminal with gateway function. The intermodal terminal was also suitable to the direct transfer of Intermodal Transport Unit (ITU's) between trains made by flat or pocket wagons, which has been located for exemplification purposes in the area of the current Alessandria Smistamento marshalling yard of the city of Alessandria. The simulation allowed for the analysis of several significant magnitudes for the project, as a function of the variation of the parameters selected by the engineer and designer. It was also demonstrated that the model allowed for the direct assessment of the terminal's throughput and performance after its layout was defined.