INTRODUCTION TO GATE AUTOMATION Whitepaper on steps to consider when deploying an AutoGate Version 1.1
INTRODUCTION Gate automa�on is prevalent throughout the world. Visi�ng the most automated opera�ons is a great, enlightening experience. Whether you have seen those opera�ons or not, the ques�ons you may be asking are… • Where do I start? • What do I need? • What level of automa�on suits our terminal? • What investment budget should I consider? • What will I gain? This whitepaper will help you with the ini�al steps to consider when star�ng with Gate Automa�on. Audience: Terminal Managers, Gate Managers, Supervisors, IT Managers, etc Reading �me: ~15 minutes Picture scanning only: ~1 minute
Why should I automate my Gate opera�ons?
When defining the business case on the investment, we always see the following key factors:
Common goals for moving a manual gate to an Automated Gate at any size of container terminal or depot: • Increased gate capacity • Increased security • Process point consolida�on • Excep�on based processing • Higher level of data accuracy • Remote processing • Cost reduc�on • Standardized opera�onal processes over mul�ple sites
Improved produc�vity: Through the reduc�on or elimina�on of data input and/or task confirma�ons, and thereby increasing the accuracy and speed of the transac�ons there is a natural result in higher throughput and improved container inventory accuracy. Unlike human operators whom may introduce errors and are prone to data entry mistakes.
Cost reduc�on:
Using automa�c capturing of informa�on, one can go to an excep�onbased opera�on, having a centralized gate control.
Safety and security level increase: Whereas all data will be digi�zed, improving quality of data and discouraging any foul play.
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“By automa�ng our gate opera�ons, we have achieved being able to in-gate a truck within 60 seconds, significantly reduced gate queues and minimized our gate footprint” Ignacio Huet Grondona, Director IT, COSCO SHIPPING Ports (Spain) Terminals (Spain, Europe) – operating a CERTUS Automated Gate since 2011.
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How does a typical Automated Gate look? Regre�ully so, there is no such thing as a standard Automated Gate. The design of an AutoGate depends on the available space, expected truck peaks and the level of automa�on. However, there are some best prac�ces:
Example of a multi-step AutoGate: City Terminal in Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
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Two-step AutoGate The two-step autogate consists of a Security/Administra�ve step and an Inspec�on step. Typically, the Security Gate answers the ques�ons – Who is reques�ng access to premises and Why. At the tradi�onal Inbound Gate, terminal specific valida�ons are performed.
SECURITY GATE
OCR
INSPECTION GATE
TROUBLE DESK
- Driver identification - Mission identification
- Cargo identification - Condition capturing
- Inspection - Hand-outs
Inspec�on Gate OUT (incl. OCR)
- Remote supervision - Exception handling
The major benefit of having a Security Gate step is that one can separate faster flows from slower flows and enable a reject flow. Obviously, this all depends on the available space and the expected volumes.
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Security Gate
Inspec�on Gate IN (incl. OCR)
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One-step AutoGate Within the one-step AutoGate, all ac�vi�es are consolidated in a single process point. Should excep�ons occur, they are either resolved in the gate lane via the intercom func�onality or trucks will be taken out of the process and re-entered into the same gate lane a�er resolving the issue. The gate area might be wider since the average �me of processing per truck at this single process point increases and therefore mul�ple gate lanes are preferable.
OCR IN Gate OUT
OCR
INSPECTION GATE
TROUBLE DESK
- Cargo identification - Condition capturing - Driver identification - Mission identification - Inspection - Hand-outs - Remote supervision - Exception handling
The main differen�ators between choosing the one- or two-step gate are the space availability and the expected volume. If the space allows so, we recommend deploying a two-step AutoGate as it increases flexibility in the opera�onal process flow of trucks.
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OCR OUT
Gate IN
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What does the OCR Portal recognize? The OCR Portal of CERTUS recognizes nearly all details of the vehicle that passes through
123A
CONTAINER CODE (Sea Shipping)
123A
22G1 2
CONTAINER CODE (US Domes�c)
ISO CODE
CONTAINER POSITION ON CHASSIS
AB12
1
CONTAINER SEQUENCE ON CHASSIS
M.G.
EMPTY CHASSIS
TARE
TRUCK LPR (front)
NET.
AB12 CHASSIS LPR (rear)
CHASSIS SIDE (US)
TRAILER ILU CODE
DOOR DIRECTION
WEIGHT RECOGNITION (Tare)
WEIGHT RECOGNITION (Net)
1234
SEALED
IMO
WEIGHT RECOGNITION (Max Gross)
GENSET PRESENCE DETECTION
SEAL PRESENCE
HAZARDOUS PLACARD PRESENCE
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HAZARDOUS PLACARD CLASS
UN NUMBER RECOGNITION
DAMAGE ALARM
HEAVY LOAD INDICATOR
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“Maher Terminals was one of the first to deploy Gate Automa�on so we were familiar with the benefits it provides. We went live with CERTUS AutoGate in 2015 and saw a large decrease in transac�on interven�ons as well as a further reduc�on in gate queues. This allows us to handle increased volume very effec�vely, without the gate being a bo�leneck. The success of Gate Automa�on has enabled us to proceed with Crane OCR.” – Laura Markham, VP, IT Operations, Maher Terminals LLC (US) – operating a CERTUS Automated Gate since 2015.
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Where do I begin? To automate the gate procedures, the following key ac�vi�es, amongst others, are to be defined:
DRIVER IDENTIFICATION
MISSION IDENTIFICATION
GATE INSPECTION
We will further explain these op�ons in the following pages.
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Considera�on 1 – Driver Iden�fica�on With an automated gate process, a common goal is to perform driver iden�fica�on in a digital fashion since the manual iden�fica�on would cause too much of a delay and introduce uncertainty in the process. Digital iden�fica�on of a driver also enables automa�c verifica�on, e.g. blacklis�ng (banning individuals or companies). We are looking at the following op�ons: 1. NO DIGITAL DRIVER IDENTIFICATION Believe it or not – this is s�ll an op�on. There are cases where the terminal does not need to iden�fy the individual truck driver because this is arranged at the Port level. Yet, it is our recommenda�on to always implement driver iden�fica�on based on your own perimeter. 2. GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDENTIFICATION OR COMMUNITY CARD SYSTEMS – TWIC, Driver’s License, SeaLink, CargoCard, Alfapass, … In some countries or regions, there is a government and/or port authority iden�fica�on tool available that can either be integrated to, or applied at site level. The most common example is the TWIC card in the United Sates which benefits from enrollment procedures at offsite loca�ons. When mul�ple sites have the same interest, some great ini�a�ves can be born. A good example is the Cargo Card in the Port of Ro�erdam with over 35.000 users today. In this case, there is also a benefit of enrollment procedures & loca�ons by others. The card can be integrated in an AutoGate with a major extra benefit: Black & White lis�ng at a port or even country level. 3. SITE OWN ACCESS CONTROL / CARD SYSTEM In case none of the above op�ons are available, u�lizing your own solu�on for driver iden�fica�on may apply. No worries. This is rela�vely easy to achieve by enrolling ID cards, with or without biometrics for driver valida�on. Either the Automated Gate supplier can provide a solu�on, or an exis�ng Access Control System can be used for this purpose. 4. MOBILE PHONE Prac�cally, the mobile phone can already confirm our iden�ty and confirm our mission for visi�ng. The major challenge here is mobile phone adop�on by the truck community. It is notable that for most sites, using the mobile phone for driver iden�fica�on will be the future.
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Considera�on 2 – Mission Iden�fica�on As the driver and truck enter the terminal, it is important to understand as early as possible in the process what the mission of the driver will be. Which containers are to be dropped off and which are to be picked up? The earlier the driver’s mission is known; the be�er the truck flow can be managed. How the mission is iden�fied is also important. Has all the data been pre-announced and the driver only need to key in a mission ID, or will data have to be entered when the driver is at the site? Some possible scenarios: 1. NO PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT No container details are known up front. When the driver arrives onsite, he needs to enter all container data either via a truck kiosk or the driver must park the truck (on premise!) and visit an administra�on desk. This scenario is labor intensive and �me consuming. 2. PRE-ADVISING ON CONTAINER / BOOKING LEVEL The minimum recommended level for an AutoGate; at least container details are pre-announced. Upon entry, the driver can enter a simple reference number to confirm the mission via a truck kiosk. Example via EDI such as COPINO – container pre-no�fica�on message. This is typical TOS func�onality. 3. PRE-ADVISING MISSION Taking it to the next level is confirming up front what transac�ons will take place in a single visit, adding iden�fiers and data such as trucking company, license plate number, RFID tag ID, Seal number, Driver ID. Upon entering the terminal, systems could iden�fy the mission automa�cally or the driver would simply enter a mission reference. 4. APPOINTMENT This can be seen independently or combined with #3; booking a �meslot prior to visi�ng the site. So called Vehicle Booking Systems (VBS) are becoming more and more common. With a VBS in place, gate peaks can be managed.
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Considera�on 3 - Gate Inspec�on As the driver is iden�fied and the mission is known, the truck and its cargo need to be validated prior to le�ng it pass into the yard. To determine the level of automa�on achievable, it is important to define what valida�ons take place and which of those are mandatory. The following is a list of common inspec�ons and valida�ons: • Driver biometric valida�on related to the driver ID • Driver match to mission • Trucking company match to mission • Drop-off container number versus booking • Drop-off container ISO code versus booking • Drop-off container damage condi�on • Drop-off container seal presence • Pick-up container PIN number versus container release number • Specific TOS valida�ons • Customs Holds • Yard Holds • Line Holds • Addi�onal valida�ons based on systems and technologies deployed There is no one that knows the valida�ons and inspec�ons that take place at your current gate be�er than you. Take a cri�cal look at your current inspec�on tasks and ask ques�ons such as: Does one really need to register the seal number for every container, can a document by digitalized, can you store images instead of ac�vely inspec�ng every container?
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What are next steps? Are you considering automa�ng your gate procedures? Struggling with next steps? Need support with budget es�mates or layout drawings? We are here to help! CERTUS can help you through the following: • Discuss op�ons for a desired process • Defining a possible layout for an AutoGate • Prepare a budget es�mate • Share best prac�ces and connect you to our AutoGate customer references • Amongst others! Our sales team has a lot of experience and is more than happy to discuss further! Contact us at: sales@certusautoma�on.com.
Amnon Katchalski
Agus�n De Alba Salceda
Benjie Wells
Chantal Doolhoff
Dave Walraven
Jarno Kuipers
Xianjun Hao
In prepara�on of any next steps, we recommend the following: 1. Define how you currently operate? Some simple wording will be fine 2. What mandates are required of your opera�on? Federal, Local, Individual? 3. What is the objec�ve and reasoning for considering automa�on? 4. Is there a layout available? A digital drawing would be nice. 5. What is your current + expected future gate peak (max trucks per hour)?
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Tips & Tricks Based on having deployed dozens of AutoGates across the globe, we can share the following lessons learned when it comes to obstacles for automa�ng the Gate Opera�ons: OBSTACLE
MITIGATION
Physical interac�on needed: • Physical Papers handed off • Physical check of driver ID • Physical verifica�on of Seal number
• Acquiring paperwork in so� copy, stored with the mission • Biometrics or imager • Acquire seal presence image
TOS func�onality does not support, or module is costly
Gate Automa�on provider or 3rd party covering required func�onality
Not all drivers have a mobile phone
U�liza�on of Express Lanes for drivers with mobile phones, hybrid set-up
Physical space
Have CERTUS suggest alterna�ve funding model, e.g. whereby part of the investment is paid per opera�onal move.
Budget constraints
Have CERTUS suggest alterna�ve funding model, e.g. whereby part of the investment is paid per opera�onal move.
Lack of community buy-in, leading to a long implementa�on and process adop�on
U�liza�on of new Mission IDs through Express Lanes.
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Why CERTUS for your Automated Gate? CONFIGURABLE DRIVER KIOSK
The driver kiosk plays an important role in streamlining the self-service ac�vi�es by the driver. The CERTUS Kiosks are configurable to match various process points and applicable interac�ons, not limited to data input, barcode input, card reading, prin�ng, etc. The kiosk is easy maintainable, robust and available in custom colors.
BEST-OF-BREED HARDWARE
CERTUS’ focus is on delivering the best possible process automa�ons solu�on supported by the CERTUS Gate Opera�ng System (GOS). The GOS integrates the best-of-breed hardware available on the market, including cameras, barriers, data processors, LED panels and traffic lights, illumina�on units, card readers amongst others.
MULTIPLE REDUNDANCY LEVELS
For automa�ng the opera�onal process, the AutoGate solu�on relies on mul�ple sensors of which the most vital is the Gate OCR system. CERTUS has engineered and designed the AutoGate based on mul�ple redundancy levels whereby failure of a component can only impact a single Gate lane. For the Gate OCR portal, the system uses mul�ple sides of the container to come to a final OCR result. This assures highest reliability through a high level of redundancy in the system.
PROVEN INTEGRATIONS
The Gate Opera�ng System, as integral part of the AutoGate solu�on, has been integrated dozens of �mes, with mul�ple Terminal Opera�ng Systems, Warehouse Management Systems and various homegrown systems. And even if not integrated before, CERTUS has the proven track record being able to integrate with 3rd party systems.
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MODERN EXCEPTION HANDLING UI
All excep�ons (e.g. mismatches between TOS and OCR) become real-�me available in a modern user interface, enabling remote control over the opera�onal process.
DESIGNED TO PROCESS EXTREME GATE PEAKS
Our Sales Execu�ves are trained to review your foreseen automa�on process, gate layout and expected capacity. Furhtermore, the CERTUS AutoGate solu�on comes with an advanced Insights tool that shows the performance of the Gate enabling to monitor and act based on specific process KPI’s.
5Y WARRANTY
When combined with a Service Level Agreement, the CERTUS AutoGate comes with a 5 year warranty and an onsite spare parts kit. CERTUS will add components to the Spare Parts Kit free-of-charge during the warranty period based on a periodic review.
RELIABLE AND EASILY MAINTAINABLE
The CERTUS deployment team will train the responsible maintenance department during the project execu�on and will provide for maintenance manuals, enabling that the terminal own maintenance team can swap components u�lizing the Spare Parts Kit. For extra support, our Service Desk is 24/7 available to help.
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About CERTUS CERTUS Automa�on is a world leader in their fields of OCR and image processing, so�ware development and system integra�on of port automa�on & security solu�ons. Our global headquarters including back office, workshops, warehousing and logis�cs centre is located near the Ro�erdam Port in the Netherlands. The Company benefits from the contribu�on of over 60 employees globally most of which serve in the development, manufacturing and integra�on areas. CERTUS is an interna�onally opera�ng company, execu�ng projects throughout the globe. The network of CERTUS offices, local representa�ve partners and a 24/7 helpdesk with experienced hard- and so�ware engineers will be there to support a�er go-live. At CERTUS we strongly believe that our industry quality standards make the difference. CERTUS is ISO 9001 cer�fied. CERTUS has commercialized over 1000 OCR systems. These systems have consistently demonstrated high reliability and overall high OCR accuracy. From world’s top 30 biggest ports, CERTUS systems can be found in one third of these. The first OCR Portal Systems were installed in 2001 in the Port of Los Angeles. CERTUS customers include many of the major terminal operators, but also logis�cal operators, depots and port authori�es. Some key numbers on our installed base: over 50 customers worldwide, over 30 ports worldwide, over 20 countries.
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