An object-oriented programming approach for a GIS data-driven simulation model of traffic on an inland waterway

This research proposes the integration of a Geographic Information System (GIS) with the Arena Simulation software to model the transit of ocean-going vessels through the Panama Canal. The purpose of this integration is to initialize the simulation model with the vessels that are currently transiting the system and the ones ready to begin their transit taking into account waiting time in queue, booking status, navigation restrictions and their times through the locks. The interface process consists of gathering vessel location and attribute data, which is loaded in database format in the GIS where it is analyzed and displayed in a map containing the location of the locks, anchorage areas, tie-up stations and the transit route. Once analyzed, Arena reads the GIS data from the database and proceeds with the simulation considering navigation transit time, locks transit and lockage times.