USO DE SIMULAÇÃO DISCRETA PARA DEFINIÇÃO DO NÚMERO DE LOCOMOTIVAS NECESSÁRIAS AO TRANSPORTE FERROVIÁRIO DE MINÉRIO

Abstract

This article presents a simulation study about the problem of the number of locomotives in ore trains applied to the railroad transport system in a large-size mining operation in the North of Brazil. In view of the necessary resources to meet the expected demand for the next years, this study aims to determine the need for locomotives for train formation and to identify scenarios that can reduce the necessity of these assets without compromising the commodity transport. It was utilized Arena software as a simulation resource to represent the trains' circulation process in a railroad terminal of iron ore unloading and conduct the experiences, simulating different scenarios. Thus, the simulation analysis and the obtained results will be presented, indicating the reduction of up to 3 locomotives (1 extra machine in relation to Colson's equations) and the possibility of saving up to 5.4 million dollars in future investments.