An Integrated Mathematical Model and an Enhanced Quantum-Computing Algorithm for the Berth and Quay Crane Optimization Problem

In this paper, the computing for a class of optimization problems in container terminals is concerned, which is composed of the berth allocation problem (BAP), the quay crane assignment problem (CAP), and the quay crane scheduling problem (CSP). An integrated linear programming model is first designed, including: (i) Sub-problem 1 responsible for describing the berth allocation and quay crane assignment problem (BACAP), and (ii) Sub-problem 2 which formulates the quay crane scheduling problem (CSP). Compared with most existed research, the proposed integrated model provides a more comprehensive summary of BACASP. Considering the large-scale and the multiple-extremums characteristics of BACASP, a quantum-computing heuristic algorithm with several enhancements named EQA is then developed to improve the global exploration ability and to avoid overrepeated iteration. Finally, an experimental study of port dispatching is carried out to verify the performance of the above works.